BMW 320 TC drops weight again for China

The latest list of compensation weights for the WTCC has been released, with BMW dropping to the minimum possible compensation level along with Ford, whilst Chevrolet remains at the top.

After analysis of the top two cars of each class’s performance over the last three races, the FIA’s latest calculation drop the BMW 320 TC’s minimum weight to 1,140kg, 20kg less than its standard base weight of 1,160kg. The move is academic however, as all of the BMW equipped teams report that they’re unable to get the car underneath its 1,160kg base weight.

Ford will again be allowed to run at -20kg to their base weight of 1,150kg, which is just about achievable for the light James Nash, who is the second lightest driver in the championship at 70.5kg (the lightest is Aleksei Dudukalo on 70.0kg).

SEAT’s cars will run at +30kg, so will in effect be just 20kg lighter than the championship leading Chevrolet Cruze 1.6Ts.

With a host of new cars taking part this weekend, there are eight different specifications or car on the weight list. All new entries will be permitted to run at their base weights, as will the BMW 320si of Liu Lic Ka, as only one race’s worth of data is available on the performance of the normally aspirated BMW.

WTCC Race of China Compensation Weights

Car – Weight – Breakdown
Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T – 1,200kg – 1,160 +40kg compensation weight
SEAT León WTCC – 1,180kg – 1,150 +30kg compensation weight
BMW 320si – 1,170kg – 1,170 base weight
Honda Civic Super 2000 TC – 1,150kg – 1,150 base weight
Honda Accord Euro R – 1,150kg – 1,150 base weight
Chevrolet Cruze LT – 1,150kg – 1,150 base weight
Chevrolet Lacetti – 1,150kg – 1,150 base weight
SR León 1.6T – 1,150kg +20kg penalty ballast -20kg compensation
BMW 320 TC – 1,140kg – 1,160 -20kg compensation weight
Ford Focus S2000 TC – 1,130kg – 1,150 -20kg compensation weight