TCR World and life

5 The sceptics were served! The new PURE ETCR series kicked off in style at Vallelunga and MotorLand Aragón, proving that electric Touring Car racing has all it needs to become one of the most attractive categories in motorsport. The impressive technical features of the ETCR cars, combined with the innovative event format launched by the promoter Eurosport Events, delivered a thrilling show. This is Touring Car competition at its best, with the CUPRA, Hyundai and Alfa Romeo cars running bumper-to-bumper (above) at a speed that their thermic-engined counterparts cannot even dream of. And the drivers completed the picture; not afraid to be involved in ruthless fights and not refraining from making contact. After the first two events of the inaugural season, CUPRA driver Mattias Ekström (left) has taken the lead in the standings, consistently winning his pool’s Super Final and building a 22-point margin over Hyundai’s Jean-Karl Vernay.