1984 - New racing series in Germany
In Germany a new racing series was born, the DPM (German Productioncar Championship). This championship was open for Group A cars regardless of size, weight and engine power.
A handicap regulation made it possible for BMW 3/5/6-series to compete with Chevrolet Camaros, Opel Kadetts, Rover Vitesse, Ford Mustangs, Volvo 240 and a others.
DPM title to BMW 635 CSi
By the end of the 1984 season Volker Strycek was honoured the victory, even though he never won a single race. The key to success was to finnish as many races as possible with good results and the new handicap system.
Final standings in DPM 1984
No | Driver | Car | Points |
1 | Volker Strycek | BMW 635 CSi | 155.0 |
2 | Olaf Manthey | Rover Vitesse V8 | 147.5 |
3 | Harald Grohs | BMW 635 CSi | 147.0 |
4 | Wilfried Vogt | BMW 323i | 146.5 |
5 | Kurt König | BMW 635 CSi | 127.0 |
6 | Manfred Trint | Ford Mustang | 114.5 |
7 | Peter Oberndorfer | Alfa Romeo GTV6 | 103.5 |
8 | Jurgen Fritzsche | Opel Kadett GTE | 87.5 |
9 | Udo Schneider | BMW 635 CSi | 83.5 |
10 | Leopold von Bayern | BMW 635 CSi | 72.5 |
Competitors where closing in...
Tuning companies like Alpina, Schnitzer, Hartge and many more where eager to develope the 635 CSi for further success, but with lack of support from BMW Motorsport they could simply not get the right parts homologated.
The British Alpina agent Frank Sytner at Thruxton, 1984. | |
The number one car is the Schnitzer 635 CSi driven by James Weaver, Hans Stuck and Dieter Quester at the 24 hour race at Spa Francorchamps 1984, where they finished third. | |
Another 635 CSi prepared by Schnitzer, the Wurth sponsored car driven by Manfred Winkelhock 1984. |