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STANDINGS
GUEST COLUMNIST
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Ever since I first heard about the TCR Series,
the way the cars are built and, above all,
the prices of each of them and the running
cost for a team or a single driver, I knew
that Marcello Lotti and his team had found
the way for the future of Touring Cars.
First of all they are racing cars, but
arguably their best asset is that
they aren’t expensive when
compared to other
categories of Touring Cars.
The organizers clearly
possess the know-how;
after only a year and a
half, we see
constructors, teams and
drivers already looking
at TCR as a very plausible
and solid investment
opportunity.
They believe the rules will stay
the same for as long as possible
because in doing so, they’ll have the best
return on their investment which in turn
creates a great business for everyone. The
companies don’t have to spend a fortune on
the cars, the teams can be present in a
variety of national championships and at
the end of the day they could have the
chance of also doing an International Series
in which Portuguese teams, who already
have bought some cars, are looking forward
to participate.
In terms of Touring Cars, this is also an
opportunity that hasn’t existed in a long
time for Portuguese teams and their drivers,
which in my opinion, is something that has
also been missing in other countries.
Last, but not least, with the Balance of
Performance we will surely have an
enjoyable spectacle for TV audiences and the
attending public. So, once again I say: TCR
is the future!
José Ribeiro
José Ribeiro, 53 from Lisbon,
is Sports Editor at Autohoje, the leading
motoring magazine in Portugal.
He started reporting on karting in 1980,
following the growth of Portuguese ‘young
guns’ like Pedro Lamy, Pedro Couceiro,
Manuel Gião and João Barbosa.
He climbed all the steps of motorsport,
from Formula Ford up to Formula 1,
paying special attention to covered wheels:
the Le Mans 24 Hours, GT and Touring Cars.
TCR is the future!