As the 2025 motorsports season approaches, the ADAC and SRO Motorsports Group are set to implement a significant change in the Balance of Performance (BoP) process aimed at ensuring a more equitable competition among various GT3 vehicle concepts. This new approach comes after intense discussions that culminated at the DTM finale held at Hockenheim, responding to ongoing pressures for greater transparency and fairness.
ADAC-Motorsportchef Thomas Voss, in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com, outlined how the new BoP structure is designed to be "gerechter, offener und vor allem transparenter"—more just, open, and above all, transparent. Voss emphasized that the updates were essential in light of last year's contentious debates surrounding vehicle classifications and how they overshadowed competitive performances throughout the season.
Under this revised framework, the BoP will be revised through a multi-step process that actively involves all manufacturers before presenting the final vehicle classifications. According to Voss, the SRO will create an "Ideal-BoP" based on the results and data from the previous year's races across all relevant manufacturers. "Die SRO erstellt aus den Abläufen der jeweiligen Vorjahresrennen von allen entsprechenden Herstellern eine Ideal-BoP, die wir als Grundlage für 2025 nehmen. Die wird frühzeitig den Herstellervertretern zur Kenntnis gebracht. Dazu können sie im Zeitraum von einer Woche in einem geschlossenen, digitalen Raum Stellung nehmen," he explained.
This Ideal-BoP will be a reference point that manufacturers can provide feedback on—for one week, they can comment in a secure digital environment, raising concerns or suggesting modifications to the BoP framework based on last season's experiences. Voss indicated that the initial classification will draw from these insights and any required adjustments that may affect vehicle performance.
Further, a newly established BoP committee, consisting of Claude Surmont, the SRO Technical Director, along with representatives from ADAC and DMSB, will oversee and evaluate these manufacturer comments. This committee’s role is not merely ceremonial. Voss highlighted that "Die Reaktionen werden nicht nur aus Smileys bestehen, da wird sich auch mal einer kritisch zu Wort melden, und das soll auch so sein," hinting at a proactive engagement with constructive criticism that will shape the classification process. This interaction is crucial, as the collective insights will guide the BoP committee in determining the starting classifications for each event.
Once the committee has weighed manufacturer feedback, the first BoP for each race will be communicated to teams one week before the event, maintaining a similar approach to previous seasons while allowing for on-the-spot adjustments during race weekends. Voss stated, "Aus diesen Informationen und Daten wird die Eingangs-BOP für die Veranstaltung gemacht, die wir dann eine Woche vor der Veranstaltung kommunizieren," ensuring teams are well-informed and prepared ahead of the competition.
This initiative also aims to help support Claude Surmont in his technical responsibilities throughout each event. As Voss pointed out, Surmont’s experience in motorsports over the years gives him a nuanced understanding of race developments. His presence is integral to the BoP adjustments and the broader implementation of this new system, reflecting ADAC and SRO's commitment to a collaboration that enhances competitive fairness.
Moreover, the new BoP process is not just limited to the DTM. It is expected to be implemented in SRO series, including the GT-World-Challenge Europe, with similar principles governing vehicle classifications aimed at achieving a consistent performance range. With the ultimate goal being that the performance of all vehicles moves within one-tenth of a second of each other, stakeholders are optimistic that this more engaging framework for determining vehicle performance will address past concerns and bolster competitive integrity in the sport.
As the motorsports community awaits the implementation of this new BoP strategy, all eyes will be on how these changes unfold and whether they yield the intended results—greater equity among teams and higher engagement levels from manufacturers. This refined approach reflects a broader acknowledgment that an inclusive and transparent process can only serve to benefit the sport moving forward.
