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TCR EXPANDS INTO AMERICA

Audi RS3 LMS TCR Car on display at Phillip Island - Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

By Bruce Williams

Audi RS3 LMS TCR Car on display at Phillip Island - Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Audi RS3 LMS TCR Car on display at Phillip Island – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Following the news that Audi Australia and Audi Customer Sports were looking for a possible home for the TCR Spec Audi RS 3 LMS they had on display at the Shannon Nationals recently (see issue 1711 of Auto Action Magazine).

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in the US have announced they will add a TCR class to their Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge in 2018.

The TCR class will run alongside the two existing SportsCar Challenge classes, Grand Sport and Street Tuner next season. With Grand Sport running similar GT4 specifications cars to those starting to appear in the Australian GT Trophy Series.

The move by IMSA in the US could set a precedent for CAMS to allow TCR cars to run as their own class or an invitational class within the Australian GT Trophy series here in Australia.

TCR continues to grow globally, with independent series’ run across Europe, Asia and Middle East. As well as making their mark in endurance racing, with their own class in the 24 Hour series, Nurburgring 24 Hour and VLN.

The growth of TCR has seen several manufacturers get involved, in addition to Audi, with Alfa Romeo, Ford, Honda, Kia, Peugeot, Subaru, Volkswagen all building cars that comply within the FIA regulations for TCR.

Hyundai have also signalled their intention to join TCR, and have just wrapped up an intensive three-day program at Valencia in Spain for their new a i30 TCR. Hyundai’s first foray into circuit racing as a manufacturer.

Hyundai i30 TCR testing at Valencia - Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

Hyundai i30 TCR testing at Valencia – Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

With TCR growing globally where would you like to see TCR specification cars competing in Australia? Let us know on either Facebook or Twitter.