DTM revises '09 schedule.

Formula One calendar leads to changes on DTM schedule for 2009 season.

The DTM has released an amended calendar for the 2009 season following the publication of the new Formula One schedule.

A number of DTM races will be moved from their provisional dates to avoid clashes with F1 events, including the season opener at Hockenheim.

"We always had the intention to avoid scheduling conflicts with Formula 1," Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of DTM rights holder and promoter, ITR e.V. said "After all, our fans have been accustomed to such a calendar for many years. In cooperation with our organisers, the German Motorsport Association, DMSB, and our TV partner ARD we succeeded in once again avoiding such scheduling conflicts. Consequently, we now are able to present a well-balanced calendar featuring ten races in five European countries."

To avoid a clash of coverage with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Hockenheimring season opener will now take place on 17 May, three weeks later than originally planned. Consequently, the EuroSpeedway Lausitz round that had been scheduled for this date has been postponed to 31 May.

At the same time, the date of the British DTM round, held at Brands Hatch, England, has also been altered due to the Belgian GP. The race will now be held on 6 September.

The French DTM round will be staged at a new venue. While this year's race was held at Le Mans, Dijon's circuit will make its maiden appearance on the DTM calendar, in the coming season while Mugello will not be part of the 2009 schedule as it proved impossible to find a date for the Italian event.

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