WestCoast Racing switch from Honda to Volkswagen

Swedish TCR squad WestCoast Racing will make the switch from the Honda Civic TCR to the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR for the 2017 season, also confirming drivers Gianni Morbidelli and 16-year-old Giancomo Altoè.

WestCoast Racing were the main team running the JAS Motorsport-developed Civic during the first two years of the championship, but as was strongly anticipated at the end of 2016, the team have moved on from Honda, opting instead to run the championship winning Golf for 2017.

“We decided the time was right to take the opportunity to make the switch to Volkswagen which took the championship in 2016,” said team principal Dick Jönsson Wigroth. “We had a number of options and thought long and hard about which manufacturer would offer the best chance of a WestCoast Championship and chose the Volkswagen as we believe it offers the best overall package.”

Morbidelli finished sixth overall for the team last season with one victory and will start his third season for the team in 2017.

“I’m really happy and excited to do another season with WestCoast Racing,” said Morbidelli. “For this year, we have big expectations and the pressure that comes with that. We’re running a new car and we all have to get up to speed as soon as possible. I’m glad to be back, after two seasons I know the potential and the guys. Overall I’m looking forward to it.”

Altoè made his TCR debut in the Middle East Series earlier this year, driving a Subaru for Top Run Motorsport, and comes from a background of single seaters in Italian Formula 4.

“The team has a lot of experience in touring cars. I really like the atmosphere in team, everyone is very professional and friendly, so I’m really happy to join WestCoast Racing,” said Altoè.

“It’s a big change from the Middle East Series with the Volkswagen Golf but I really enjoy the TCR category and I’m looking forward to it. My goal for the season is to learn as much as possible. I know Gianni very well, he’s very experienced and I hope with him as a teammate in WestCoast we can make of my first year in touring cars a success!”

It remains to be seen who will run the Civic TCR in the International Series in 2017. The SEAT León TCR and Audi RS 3 LMS are set to be heavily represented on the grid, with a number of driver and car selections to be announced.