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STANDINGS
GUEST COLUMNIST
THIRD
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I have always been a fan of Touring Car
races, for the simple reason that spectators
can identify themselves with the cars on the
track. It only takes a trip to the Nürburgring
24 Hours to gauge the enthusiasm of
the crowds for this or that brand.
No surprise, since Germans
have devoted their national
championship – the DTM –
to cars that certainly are
prototypes, but wear
bodies reminding mass-
produced street models.
Following the glorious
era of the European and
World championships in
the 80s, Touring Car racing
has experienced a steep
decline, with the disappearance
of many championships and the loss
of Touring Car racing’s most prestigious
rendez-vous, the 24 Hours of Francorchamps.
This is why the inception of the TCR Series
is good news. Furthermore: excellent news.
The WTCC is reserved for an élite, while the
TCR Series has its basis in motorsports’
grassroots. The interest is huge, as shown by
the array of national series being created
alongside the international one. A large
number of car manufacturers are already
represented and others will join soon. Cars
are attractive, fast enough and affordable.
It’s a successful launch that is bound to be
amplified in the years to come. The new
category has already gone beyond the
borders of old Europe to conquer new
markets, especially in Asia.
For Marcello Lotti and his team the priority
now is to do everything possible to keep
costs under control and guarantee an equal
footing in the sporting aspects. If they
succeed in doing so, they will have won
their bet. It won’t be an easy task, as
history teaches us that costs grow steadily
in parallel to the success of any formula. In
GT3, they have doubled in less than four
years… It is imperative to avoid this trend
to ensure that the category remains an
affordable springboard for young talent and
to give a chance to whomever could be
tempted by reviving great races such as …
the 24 Hours of Francorchamps for Touring
Cars!
Benoît Galand
Benoît Galand is one of the most
knowledgeable Touring Car specialists among
European media and the editor-in-chief of
Turbo Magazine, Belgium’s leading motor
racing publication. The Liège-born 58-year-old
started his career working for Autohebdo and
several Belgian dailies, covering the European
and World Touring Car championships. Quite
logically for a Belgian, he has a special
relationship with the Spa 24 Hours, as a
journalist but also as the official
commentator and as a driver, with ten
participations and two class wins.
Let’s keep the costs
under control!