UK TCR series gets MSA green light for 2018 launch
The planned United Kingdom TCR touring car championship has been given the green light for a 2018 launch by British motorsport's governing body the Motor Sports Association
Autosport revealed last December that talks between TCR organisers and interested parties were under way to bring the tin top concept to Britain.
Firm plans for a calendar have not been announced but a six or seven event schedule is anticipated for the 2018 season, with two races taking place on each weekend, after the MSA's Championship Control Panel approved the project.
The series will be run by organising club the BRSCC, which runs its own meetings as well as organising events for the likes of the British GT Championship.
"I am delighted that a TCR UK championship becomes the latest addition to our already large family of TCR series worldwide," said TCR boss Marcello Lotti.
"This is a particularly important achievement, because the UK remains the reference country for motorsport due to its concentration of engineering companies, teams and professional people.
"We are confident that the new series will be successful thanks to the long-standing British tradition for motorsport in general, with particular enthusiasm for the various touring car categories."
TCR was designed as a low-cost alternative touring car formula, and its International Series launched in 2015 and has an agreement to run on the undercard at select Formula 1 grands prix.
National TCR series have since been set up in Germany, Italy and Thailand, with championships also encompassing the Asia and Benelux regions.
TCR regulations also form classes in a number of national championships across Europe.
The UK series will be promoted by Jonathan Ashman - who was one of the founding fathers of the British Touring Car Championship's hugely popular Super Touring regulations.
"I have worked with Marcello Lotti since the TCR concept was launched, especially with regard to the arrangements with Formula One Management," said Ashman.
"This new adventure with TCR UK brings me back to my previous experience as a touring car promoter, which gives me plenty of motivation to repeat the earlier success.
"I'm also especially pleased to have an experienced and professional management team alongside me."
Laser Tools Racing continues in BTCC with Hill
The Laser Tools Racing name that was carried to British Touring Car Championship titles in 2020 and 2021 will continue in the series after all with Jake Hill.
McLaren to share F1 reserve driver Schumacher with Mercedes
Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher will be also made available as a stand-in to McLaren, the Woking team has announced.
NASCAR Next Gen car gets safety upgrades for 2023 season
NASCAR unveiled some changes to the Next Gen car for the 2023 season, with most enhancing its safety aspects.
O’Ward optimistic about Rossi and that McLaren IndyCar DNFs can be reduced
Arrow McLaren ace Pato O’Ward says he’s confident that Alexander Rossi will be a strong addition to the line-up and that the team has gotten on top of its mechanical woes.
How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force
Colin Chapman’s marque was the most successful across Goodwood’s 71 contemporary era Members’ Meetings, from 1949 to 1966. Many of the future Formula 1 pacesetter's finest creations will be in action during this weekend's 2022 event, attempting to re-live an era when period Lotus was gaining unstoppable momentum
How to get the best out of amateur racers
Pro-Am GT racing is booming. But how should drivers approach working with an amateur? Autosport sought out a panel of experts to explain the pitfalls amateur drivers should avoid and how professionals can help them to achieve their goals
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Just over a year ago, Autosport sampled Radical’s newest offering: the SR10. Now upgraded, it’s clear to see why it’s become the manufacturer’s fastest-selling model
The second-generation Can-Am racers that took the UK by storm
When Thundersports was introduced in 1983, few could have predicted that it would bring an army of heavy metal from the United States to British circuits. The awe-inspiring former Can-Am racers became a new domestic flagship category that captivated spectators and drivers alike
The father and son team taking GT racing by storm
GT Cup title winners Richard and Sam Neary emerged as a race-winning force in British GT in 2021. The father-and-son pairing have done it the hard way with their family team – and 19-year-old Sam is only just getting started on a career he hopes will lead to factory opportunities in the near future
Track testing an outgoing stalwart of British motorsport
The current GB3 Championship car is due to be replaced next season. Autosport got behind the wheel to discover why it's been a popular machine for drivers making their way up the junior single-seater ladder
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Ahead of Praga running its own standalone series in partnership with Britcar, Autosport got behind the wheel of the Czech company’s R1 at Donington – and was left very impressed
How rocket O'Sullivan banished painful memories with GB3 glory
After missing out on the 2020 British F4 title in astonishing fashion, Zak O'Sullivan was determined to earn his first car racing title stepping up to the BRDC British F3 championship. While the series underwent a mid-year name change to GB3, the Carlin driver was imperious throughout and deservedly claimed the title in his rookie year
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.