All good things come to an end...

In the 1995 season some races were raced outside of Germany for the ITC (International Touring car Championship) series, under FIA auspices. In 1996 the whole DTM series was part of the FIA controlled ITC class.

The DTM / ITC class became very popular. The spectacular races with cars just as fast as a Formula One monoposto's drew too much attention to the likings of the FIA management (Ecclestone and Mosley), who feared competition for the F1. Many race fans prefered to watch the Alfa's, Mercedes' and Opels compete in the ITC which meant fewer spectators for Formula One. The switch from DTM to ITC was actually a hostile take over by the FIA and in 1996 FIA decided to cut 2/3 of the TV-revenues for the teams. Because of this, Alfa and Opel decided to stop after the 1996 season. Formula One was saved by killing the ITC.

The AMG Mercedes, Opel Calibra and Alfa Romeo 155 V6 ti were all very competitive during the season. Nannini won 7 races but that was not enough to take the 1996 title. Opel took both the constructors title and the drivers title with Manuel Reuter. Alfa was second in the constructors championship.

ITC Racing calendar 1996

Nicola Larini Team Martini Alfa Corse 11th in ITC drivers championship 95 points
Alessandro Nannini Team Martini Alfa Corse 3rd in ITC drivers championship 180 points
Stefano Modena Team JAS Motorsport Alfa Romeo 12th in ITC drivers championship 92 points
Giancarlo Fisichella Team TV Spielfilm Alfa Corse 6th in ITC drivers championship 139 points
Gabriele Tarquini Team JAS Motorsport Alfa Romeo 14th in ITC drivers championship 60 points
Christian Danner Team TV Spielfilm Alfa Corse 15th in ITC drivers championship 48 points
Michael Bartels Team Jägermeister JAS Motorsport 22nd in ITC drivers championship 16 points
Jason Watt Team Bosch JAS Motorsport Alfa Romeo 19th in ITC drivers championship 17 points
Gianni Giudici Team Giudici Motorsport No championship points

14th April 1996, Hockenheim Germany

Nicola Larini started from pole in the first race of the season and Alessandro Nannini raced the fastest lap during race 1. However, both Larini and Nannini had to pit because of tyre problems and fell back.

Race 1: 38 laps, total racing distance 100,244 km

Race 2: 38 laps, total racing distance 100,244 km

12th May 1996, Nürburgring Germany

Nannini and Fisichella where expelled from both races because of using illegal fuel during qualifying.

Race 1: 22 laps, total racing distance 100,232 km

Race 2: 22 laps, total racing distance 100,232 km

26th May 1996, Estoril Portugal

Alessandro Nannini started from pole and won both races. In race 1 Stefano Modena was blamed for causing a crash in the first curve. Nannini raced the fastest lap in both races.

Race 1: 20 laps, total racing distance 87,200 km

Race 2: 20 laps, total racing distance 87,200 km

9th June 1996, Helsinki Finland

Nothing could stop Opel in Helsinki; they finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in both races.

Race 1: 32 laps, total racing distance 101,760 km

Race 2: 32 laps, total racing distance 101,760 km

23rd June 1996, Norisring Germany

No success in Nürnburg for Alfa Romeo. Only Stefano Modena scored some points in race 1.

Race 1: 44 laps, total racing distance 101,200 km

Race 2: 44 laps, total racing distance 101,200 km

7th July 1996, Diepholz Germany

Gianni Giudici switched sides to the Opel team, who were doing very well in the championship. He didn't contribute anything however, to the victory of Opel in the Championship.

Race 1: 28 laps, total racing distance 76,160 km

Race 2: 37 laps, total racing distance 100,640 km

8th August 1996, Silvertone UK

Although Nannini raced the fastest lap in race 1, he didn't score any points. Gabriele Tarquini won his first ITC race.

Race 1: 20 laps, total racing distance 101,540 km

Race 2: 20 laps, total racing distance 101,540 km

1st September 1996, Nürburgring Germany

Alfa used the new 90 degree V6 engine for the first time, resulting in a dubble victory for Alessandro Nannini.

Race 1: 22 laps, total racing distance 100,232 km

Race 2: 22 laps, total racing distance 100,232 km

15th September 1996, Magny-Cours France

A clean sweep for Alfa in France: Larini started from pole position and Alfa finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in race 1. Nannini also won race 2 with Fisichella 2nd.

Race 1: 24 laps, total racing distance 102,000 km

Race 2: 24 laps, total racing distance 102,000 km

29th September 1996, Mugello Italy

Nicola Larini started from pole and won the first race. That didn't prevent Bernd Schneider from taking the lead in the championship.

Race 1: 20 laps, total racing distance 104,900 km

Race 2: 20 laps, total racing distance 104,900 km

13th October 1996, Hockenheim Germany

No success for Alfa Romeo. Only Tarquini, Nannini, Fisichella and Danner scored some points.

Race 1: 15 laps, total racing distance 102,345 km

Race 2: 15 laps, total racing distance 102,345 km

27th October 1996, Sao Paolo Brasil

Although neither Opel nor Alfa Romeo sold cars in Brasil and had any commercial interests in this country, FIA let the ITC circus race in Sao Paolo. Christian Danner started from pole position and Alessandro Nannini stayed in the race for  the championship.

Race 1: 24 laps, total racing distance 103,032 km

Race 1: 24 laps, total racing distance 103,032 km

10th November 1996, Suzuka Japan

Although neither Opel nor Alfa Romeo sold cars in Japan, FIA let the ITC circus race at Suzuka. Danner started from pole again and raced the fastest lap in race 1. Franchitti passed Danner close to the finish.

Race 1: 18 laps, total racing distance 105,552 km

Race 1: 18 laps, total racing distance 105,552 km