Two of the world’s top GT and Touring Car series look set to join under common rules for 2012. And the US based Grand-Am series may join them.

Regulations for the popular Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and the Japanese based Super GT series are set to merge opening up the possibility of an exchange of cars and drivers for the future.

The new regulations were announced earlier this year and feature:

• - Common carbon monocoque with roll cage
• - A standard wheelbase of 2850 mm
• - Common front and rear overhang
• - Common front spoiler and rear diffuser
• - V8 engine of yet to be announced size
• - Limited number of engines during season
• - Introduction of “design line” where on one side all cars are common

The main aim of the new regulations is a 51% cost reduction in costs, but it’s the last item on the list that is concerning the purists most.

The common “design line” is similar to the current regulations of NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” (you know, the ones with the carburettors, the steel bodies and the leaded fuel)

The appeal of both series in the past has been the spectacular look of the cars. Super GT in particular has given the sport some of the best looking, wildest sedan and GT cars ever seen in the sport.

The DTM, although a shadow of its former self, still has attractive cars that scream modernity and class.

Compare this with the slab sided generic NASCARs and the difference is considerable.

The move has already come under fire from plenty of fans, concerned about the possible destruction of the last bastions of real variety in top line racing.

Autoblog, the US based motoring portal has carried the story which has prompted an outpouring of concern by its readers.

“This is absolutely awful. We do not want all the cars to be the same. This is not NASCAR where people don’t care about the cars so much as the drama and the drivers. Please keep the cars as close to production vehicles to keep it relevant.

Is there a petition to sign to make this not go through? I would be willing to sign it.” DEREK.

“Why!? I can understand putting a cap on cost and development budgets but to start implementing rules that will slowly bring this to a Spec Series I fully believe will kill each series. If I wanted NASCAR style rules in terms of cars and chassis’s I’d watch NASCAR. Again if they wish to curb cost’s implement a budget cap on development and such. I love watching these cars battle it out on the road course to show/prove which one is better.” CLAVIUS

Despite the fans outcries the move look certain to go ahead. Manufacturers have embraced the idea and for both series (especially the DTM) the new rules will bring much needed new makes to the series.

Already BMW have announced their intention of competing in the DTM and the possibility of Lexus, Nissan and Honda joining in is one that will delight DTM organisers.

For the US based Grand-Am, a move to the new common regs would return the possibility of genuine international competition to it’s series, in particular to its blue riband event The Daytona 24 hours.

The move also opens up the possibility of a future World Championship (OK, so bang goes the cost saving)

Either way series organisers are playing in dangerous territory. The NASCAR CoT has been widely derided by the fans, and many feel has been a major contributing factor to the downturn in NASCAR crowds.

Once again it seems to a case of motorsport refusing to acknowledge the views of the most important group of people in the sport. The fans.