Munich. The Road to DTM youth development program will be realigned within the German Kart Championship (DKM) for the 2026 season. Going forward, the program will be fully anchored in the OK-N category. As a result, the champion of this class will receive the entry fee for the BMW M2 Cup or ADAC GT4 Germany in the following season, providing a clear opportunity to take the next step toward professional motorsport.

This restructuring creates a direct development pathway for young talents. The BMW M2 Cup is accessible from the age of 15 and offers an ideal platform for entering touring car racing within the high-profile environment of the DTM. Drivers compete in the newly developed BMW M2 Racing, which combines state-of-the-art technology with production-based performance.

For drivers aged 16 and over, the program also opens a direct route into GT racing. In the ADAC GT4 Germany, two drivers share a GT4 cockpit and compete against young prospects and ambitious gentleman drivers across six race weekends as part of the DTM support program. The champions of both the BMW M2 Cup and ADAC GT4 Germany receive an exclusive support package within the Road to DTM program for the following season.

By integrating the program into the OK-N category, a clear and structured development ladder is established: from the DKM to the BMW M2 Cup and ADAC GT4 Germany, progressing step by step via the ADAC GT Masters and ultimately to the DTM. That this pathway works is demonstrated by prominent examples—DTM champions such as Thomas Preining, René Rast, and Marco Wittmann all took their first steps in motorsport through the DKM, as did current DTM drivers Maximilian Paul and Ben Dörr.

DKM 2026 with New Class Structure and Premiere in the Czech Republic

With the introduction of the new OK-N and OK-N Junior categories, the DKM will feature an expanded class structure from 2026 onward. The FIA-compliant engine concepts provide a cost-efficient and internationally aligned environment for developing young talent. Together with the established Mini and KZ2 classes, the championship will comprise five categories in total.

The German Kart Championship will contest five race weekends in 2026 on renowned circuits in Germany, complemented by a special international highlight in the Czech Republic. The season kicks off from May 1 to 3 at Arena E in Mülsen.
 

DKM Race Calendar 2026
May 1–3, 2026: Mülsen
May 29–31, 2026: Cheb (CZ)
July 17–19, 2026: Ampfing
August 14–16, 2026: Kerpen
September 25–27, 2026: Wackersdorf