When FIA and Eurosport Events decided to take the shelved to WTCC and finish with the TC1, the adoption of the technical regulation TCR seemed to be a flight forward. The only possible way to keep alive an international contest of passenger cars, not already in the form of a World, but of a World Cup. Although in practical terms both of these terms are not all that different, the new event combines , the successful technical concept of Marcello Lotti, the muscle at the organisational level of Eurosport Events and the presence of a large number of manufacturers who, without having a team official to be banned, have a great interest in this new WTCR.
With very few steps and many of them in the shade, the WTCR has already secured a grid of 26 cars, to which are added two additional vehicles in each test-style ‘wild card’. However, the most prominent of the projection of the World Cup of Cars is that with less than a third of the grill confirmed the level is very high. Among the drivers, teams and brands that have confirmed their presence in the WTCR appear riders of great level, great champions, teams with long experience and formations that will have the direct support of any manufacturer.
Starting with the figure more visible, since there are ten riders confirmed for the first year of the WTCR. Back of your withdrawal, Yvan Muller will try to add a new title to his resume in which already includes a title in the BTCC -2003 – and four titles in the WTCC -2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013-. Next to the French driver will compete Thed Björk, the last champion of the fia WTCC. They will also be at the controls of two Hyundai i30 two other pilots of great experience in the now defunct World of Cars, as are Gabriele Tarquini -champion in 2009 with a Seat – and Norbert Michelisz.
If Norbert Michelisz has been one of the private pilots more prominent in the last years of the WTCC, to sign for Honda, this same definition can be applied to Mehdi Bennani and Rob Huff -champion 2011-pilots, who share the box and will be at the controls of two Volkswagen Golf. Taking into account that the payroll of drivers to complete the fastest Tiago Monteiro and Esteban Guerrieri, as well as young as Denis Dupont and Aurélien Panis, it is clear that the level of drivers is really high. All the talents that join from now on will round off this perspective.
Something similar happens among the teams that have already confirmed their presence in the WTCR. Comtoyou Racing will have the direct support of Audi, while BRC Racing Team, training in the competing Tarquini and Michelisz, you will enjoy the advice of the technicians of Hyundai Motorsport after being part of the process of development of the Hyundai i30 N. Bousteng Ginion Racing and Münnich Motorsport will be backed up by JAS Motorsport, a structure that has given life to all the projects of Honda Racing in Europe in passenger cars and GT3 is referred to in the last few years. Sébastien Loeb Racing will not need more presentations.
finally, Eurosport Event has boasted of having at least seven TCR different. Of the confirmations produced so far, it is sure that the new WTCR will be on track at least a car from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Peugeot and Volkswagen. To add, at least one vehicle TCR of another brand, being the Seat of one of the most ballots to be represented in the World Cup of Cars. All in all, during the test of the ‘Balance of Performance’ held in Valencia will also be the TCR of Kia, Lada, Opel and Renault, so it is still the payroll can be more wide.
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