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WORLD AND LIFE
TCR 2016
NEWS
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DRIVERS TEAM
As the TCR concept takes roots in numerous
countries and series, peculiarities have started to
appear. One of the most interesting is that, in some
series, cars can be shared by two drivers. Multi-driver
line-ups are standard in long-distance races (where
TCR cars are becoming more and more popular), but
less so in traditional Touring Car racing. The Benelux,
Portuguese and Italian series all allow for two drivers
to share one car.
In the Benelux series, it is a deliberate choice that
has crafted the format of the competition itself.
Promoter Marc Van Dalen explains: “For us, designing
the series around the possibility of having two
drivers sharing a car was a must-have. It was the
right option to give teams and drivers more
possibilities to compete, as the budget for running
one car can be shared between two drivers. This was
also crucial to attract young drivers, which was one
of our stated objectives.” The event format of the
Benelux series is unique within the TCR sphere, with
a long qualifying race (1 hour) that includes a driver
change, and two double sprint races, with one of the
drivers at the wheel in the first two and his co-driver
replacing him for Races 3 and 4. Drivers score both
their own points and those achieved by their
teammate. The championship leader Stéphane
Lémeret admits: “From a sporting point of view, it is
a little bit odd to score the points of a race you
haven’t taken part in, but I understand it’s the only
way to avoid separating two guys who share the
same car and… budget.”
Ronnie Latinne and Maxime Potty
co-drive the Volkswagen Golf
of Team WRT