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STANDINGS
GUEST COLUMNIST
THIRD
PAGE
When Marcello Lotti launched the TCR Series,
it quickly became clear that the concept was
answering the need for a change, in terms of
philosophy and sporting and technical
definitions, in Touring Car racing.
Lotti’s previous creation, the
WTCC, aimed at attracting
works teams and
manufacturers, had just
opted for more highly-
performing and
technologically-
advanced cars. The
prestige of an élite-
based field implied, on
the other hand, a
significant increase in
costs that has barred
participation for most private
teams.
The proof that the TCR ‘cocktail’ is
working? Simply, the fact that the FIA has
adopted its technical standards for the
European Touring Car Cup, which currently
attracts entrants almost exclusively from
Central and Eastern Europe.
This concept is enjoying a very encouraging
start-up period, thanks to the involvement
of the customer racing services of SEAT,
Honda and Volkswagen, as well as the efforts
of other racing organizations to develop
Opel, Subaru, Alfa Romeo, Ford or KIA cars
for the TCR International Series and its
regional and national sister series already in
place,
In France, at a moment when national speed
series are going through a serious crisis, a
TCR Series would be a healthy and welcome
initiative. Peugeot and Renault, that have an
established culture of Touring Car racing via
their mono-brand trophies, would be very
advised to get committed to the new
concept.
Jean-Luc Taillade
Jean-Luc Taillade, 61, started his professional
career as a journalist and photographer in
1972, covering events in Western France for
Autopop, Autocourse and later, Echappement.
After 7 years as photographer on the editorial
staff of Echappement, he became independent
to cover international races and rallies. He
has been a contributor to Auto Hebdo,
France’s top racing weekly, for over twenty
years, and he also serves as TV commentator
for Kiosque F1, Eurosport and Motors TV.
The French manufacturers
should consider TCR