Former WTCC boss Marcello Lotti confirmed as TCR series chief

The name change does not reflect any alterations to the entry level touring car championship's concept, which features technical regulations incorporating a GT3-style balance of performance formula in order to limit costs.

Lotti told AUTOSPORT that the International Series should boast a full subscription of 24 entries for its maiden season in 2015.

"Today I have a subscription, and we have accepted 20 entries," said Lotti.

"We have to take a decision on the last four cars. We have a list of requests and we will go to take this final decision in the next few weeks."

The name change from TC3 to TCR is understood to stem partly from a desire to distance itself from the FIA World Touring Car Championship's TC1 regulations, and the recently announced TCN-1 and TCN-2 proposed national regulations.

"The only change is relating to the identity of the series to avoid any bad, bad interpretations," said Lotti.

"Nothing has changed on all the technical concepts. I want to say that the series' ideal cost cuts and, fundamentally ready-to-run racing cars, remains what it was - nothing has changed on this."

Although the main start-up funds for the championship come from Asia, Lotti will also be a shareholder in TCR.

AUTOSPORT SAYS
Peter Mills, WTCC correspondent

Name change aside, TCR appears to be on the right track for a successful launch season.

Out of the 20 confirmed cars, 10 are believed to be SEATs. The promoter's plan is to reduce the number of SEATs for 2016 as other brands are welcomed.

Teams pledging to run VW, Honda, SEAT and Ford in 2015 are known, although rumours suggest the Opel Astra OPC could make an appearance before a new shape model is introduced for the following season.

A number of national championships are believed to be evaluating the adoption of TCR regulations in 2016, including Russia and China.