WTCR makes late switch to Zolder for first round of 2020 season

Back in May, WTCR revealed a revised Europe-only calendar comprising 16 races across six rounds, beginning with Austria's Salzburgring on 12-13 September.

But less than two weeks away from the first round, the championship announced that the opener will be moving to Belgium's Zolder circuit because the authorities in Austria had not green-lit the event against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

The remainder of the calendar is unchanged, with the Nurburgring, Slovakia Ring, Hungaroring, Aragon and a revamped Adria circuit holding the remaining events of 2020.

"Having to change venues less than three weeks before the start of the season was very unexpected," said Francois Ribeiro, boss of WTCR promoter Eurosport Events.

"But the immediate priority was to present an alternative solution and we thank the FIA and President Jean Todt for approving the new season-opening plan at such short notice.

"While adjusting the schedule at short notice is not ideal, we have, from the outset, always strived to maintain the maximum number of events possible.

"This is to ensure the credibility of the sporting contest with the best interests of all our stakeholders at heart.

"The partnership with Circuit Zolder, which has a strong record of staging international motorsport events, provides this opportunity.

"Together with the FIA and the Circuit Zolder management, we are monitoring the situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Europe to help ensure the participation of all the WTCR teams coming from different European countries."

The grid for the opening round of the season has been boosted by Zengo Motorsport expanding from two cars to three for the 2020 season.

Having previously confirmed Bence Boldizs as one of its two drivers, the Hungarian squad, which runs Cupra Leon machinery, recently announced 2019 race winner Mikel Azcona and 43-year-old rookie Gabor Kismarty-Lechner as its remaining drivers.

Although WTCR teams are limited to a maximum of two entries, the rules state a third car can be entered if one driver is eligible for the Rookie Award.

With Alfa Romeo squad Team Mulsanne firming up plans for a one-car entry for Jean-Karl Vernay last month, it means 19 cars are set for the Zolder opener.

A pre-event test will take place on 10 September ahead of the race weekend itself.

TCR Europe got underway last month at Paul Ricard, with one-time British Touring Car Championship race-winner Dan Lloyd and German driver Mike Halder sharing the wins.

Lloyd leads the standings by a single point from former WTCR racer Mehdi Bennani.