Photo: WTCC Media

Sochi set to open the 2016 WTCC season in calendar reshuffle

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The Sochi Autodrom in Russia is expected to open the 2016 World Touring Car Championship according to a draft calendar which is due to be confirmed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council later this week.

Sochi will be the only change of circuit from 2014 to 2015, replacing Moscow Raceway, and will become the season opener. The Termas de Río Hondo circuit in Argentina, which opened the 2015 season, has been moved back to mid-year, with more temperate weather conditions during the Argentinian winter.

“The contract (with Sochi) is not signed, we’re still working on it,” said WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro. “The countries will be the same. The structure will be a bit different as Argentina will go back to August.”

Morocco has also been moved back on the calendar, and will now take place in May, with the Marrakech Grand Prix having previously taken place at the beginning of April.

Qatar, which hosted the season finale last weekend at the Losail International Circuit, will again host the WTCC’s curtain closer on Friday 25th November 2016.

Provisional 2016 World Touring Car Championship calendar

Date – Event
20th March – Sochi, Russia
3rd April – Paul Ricard, France
17th April – Slovakiaring, Slovakia
24th April – Hungaroring, Hungary
8th May – Marrakech, Morocco
29th May – Nürburgring, Germany
12th June – Vila Real, Portugal
7th August – Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina
4th September – Motegi, Japan
25th September – Shanghai, China
6th November – Buriram, Thailand
25th November – Losail, Qatar