Photo: TCR Media

WestCoast Racing unhappy with last minute weight change

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WestCoast Racing started the first round of the TCR International Series from pole position with Kevin Gleason in the Honda Civic TCR, but the Swedish team were disappointed with a last minute call to add another 30kg of weight under the series’ Balance of Performance regulations, without giving the team enough time to make what they feel were appropriate alterations to the car.

The Honda had started the weekend at 1,290kg, 30kg more than their main rivals in the SEATs, but when that was realised to be excessive when SEAT dominated the first free practice session, the weights were adjusted to be on a par for FP2, and then the Hondas were given a further 30kg before qualifying when Gleason secured pole position. However, just before the first race, the weight was piled back on.

“It’s very frustrating to impose this ruling with just 40 minutes to go before the start of the race,” said team owner Greger Petersson. “Our crew worked tirelessly in the preparation of the cars and did an exceptional job, so be left without proper time to set up the cars again in the manner that we are accustomed, wasn’t the best for us. I hope that the rules can be reviewed to allow a timeframe for decisions to be properly implemented as the series develops.”

Gleason, who started from pole position and went on to finish sixth, enjoyed his first outing despite the weight adjustment.

“I had great fun out there,” he said. “Sure it was hard gaining the extra weight and I couldn’t really hold back the SEATs on the early laps, but I haven’t had such close racing for years and really enjoyed the battles. I need to work on my touring car race-craft and stop being so nice to the other guys, but that will come with races.”

Gianni Morbidelli took fourth, the best result for the team on race day, and is happy with his showing.

“I was not able to push as hard as I wanted as my balance wasn’t quite as I liked, and with the added weight it didn’t help, but we need more time with the car too make it more balanced and competitive.”

Team-mate René Münnich had an impressive start and briefly took the lead before he went wide into Turn 1, and was forced to retire later in the race with a mechanical problem.