TCR World and life

6 FEATURE After the long break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BRC and Comtoyou are preparing for the start of a challenging season. Both teams have committed to parallel programmes in the WTCR and TCR Europe, and the reshuffle of the calendars following the lockdown resulted in three clashes in the first part of what was left of the season. BRC Racing Team principal Gabriele Rizzo said they are ready for the double attack, racing in the WTCR at Salzburgring, Nürburgring and Slovakiaring, and simultaneously in TCR Europe at Zolder, Monza and Barcelona: “It has been planned from the beginning of the season to manage the two participations with two different structures, taking advantage of all possible synergies in terms of vehicles, equipment and people. The COVID and the calendar reshuffle with the first three events clashing just make it more challenging and more complicated to be managed, and more expensive too. But we are well prepared and motivated to face these types of situations.” Comtoyou Racing will also be involved in both series, and team manager François Verbist is working on how to face the clashing commitments: “That was really bad news for us when the calendars were announced. Even though I talked to both promoters before the final schedules were announced, it was kind of a shock for us. But now we have to face that and the difficulties of running in two championships over three months. Though I believe that at least one clash could have been avoided, now we have to look ahead and find solutions.” In terms of human resources and logistics, both teams are well prepared after the experience of recent years. “During the two previous years we have raced in both championships with the same crew, ” Verbist explained. “The equipment was different because in WTCR we had to ship everything