The car was technologically more advanced than a Formula 1 machine - and a glimpse into the future of motor racing. But at the same time, that was exactly why it became the nail in the coffin for the "old" DTM: exactly 30 years ago - on 27 October 1996 - Manuel Reuter secured the ITC (International Touring Car Championship) title in Opel's legendary Cliff Calibra at Interlagos. Two races later, the DTM successor series was discontinued.
The megalomania knew no bounds, because the Class 1 regulations allowed enormous freedom. "Technologically, in 1995, 1996 we really were at Formula 1 level - and the regulations were even more open," reveals Reuter, who in 1996 took Opel's only drivers' title to date in the history of the racing series, in conversation with Motorsport-Total.com.
