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STANDINGS
SPOTLIGHT
The press release was fairly short, but to
the point: in 2018, the UK will become
the latest country to host a TCR series
when TCR UK takes to British circuits.
The reaction from Touring Car fans on
social media was swift and seemed to be
split between those who welcomed the
series and loyal supporters of the BTCC
who declared that it would never
replace their series.
That, of course, misses the point of the
series completely. TCR UK isn’t intended
to replace the British Touring Car
Championship, but to act as a feeder
series – a bridge between the likes of
the single make racing series and the
BTCC (or regional or global
championships such as the TCR
International Series).
Although details such as the calendar
have yet to be confirmed, two facts
announced by the press release
immediately confirmed the status of the
TCR UK announcement
creates a buzz
the UK remains the reference country for
motorsport due to its concentration of
engineering companies, teams and
professional people. We are confident
that the new series will be successful
thanks to the long-standing British
tradition for motorsport in general, with
particular enthusiasm for the various
Touring Car categories.
”
Lukoil Craft-Bamboo driver Dan Lloyd,
who joined the 2017 TCR International
Series from the Austrian event onwards,
was a BTCC regular and views the
introduction of a UK TCR series as
a
logical step. “My honest reaction is why
not? TCR has been popular around the
world and the UK is a perfect place for a
TCR series. The cars are around a third
of the price of a BTCC car, so teams
don’t have to find the same level of
money to fund a programme. I agree
with the people who’ve said the series
won’t compete with the BTCC – it’s been
pretty dominant for so long and TCR UK
is a feeder series. It’ll be really
interesting.
”
The fans’ reaction might have given the
announcement a cautious welcome, but
the early feedback from teams, drivers
and suppliers has been hugely positive.
It’ll be fascinating to see what happens
when TCR UK hits the track in the
spring of 2018….
new series. The championship will be
run by the British Racing and Sports
Car Club (BRSCC), who already
coordinate several high-profile racing
series, and the promoter will be
Jonathan Ashman, a former Chairman
of the FIA’s Touring Car Commission
and the man credited with coming up
with the Super Touring regulations that
proved to be so popular in the 1990s.
“
I have worked with Marcello Lotti since
the TCR concept was launched,
” said
Ashman. “
This new adventure with TCR
UK brings me back to my previous
experience as a Touring Car promoter,
which gives me plenty of motivation to
repeat the earlier success. I’m also
especially pleased to have an
experienced and professional
management team alongside me.”
Marcello Lotti, creator of the TCR
commented:
“This is a particularly
important achievement for us, because
TCR UK promoter
Jonathan Ashman (right)
with Marcello Lotti