Valencia hosts the first European TCR International Series round
The TCR International Series will hold its first European event at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain, after the first Asian leg of the championship in Malaysia and China.
A number of new entries has been announced, as well as Igor Skuz temporarily joining WestCoast Racing to replace René Munnich, leaving one of the Campos Racing Opel Astra OPCs without a confirmed driver, whereas Jordi Oriola is listed as one of the 19 entries for Spain.
WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli enters the race leading the championship, two points ahead of former leader Stefano Comini. The Target Competition driver is a further 11 points ahead of fellow SEAT driver Andrea Belicchi.
All eyes are however on Pepe Oriola, who will race at the Spanish track without ballast. The Spaniard is excited to race at the Ricardo Tormo.
“It is one of my favourite tracks,” said the Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver. “I’m looking forward to racing there and I hope I will get back on the podium, just like I did in Malaysia. It’s been a long time since I have raced here in an official event.”
Oriola, who won two races in the same event during the 2010 SEAT León Eurocup, believes qualifying will be crucial to have a good result:”Racing at home will be an extra motivation but, as history shows, there’s nothing easy in this championship. It will be vital to score a good result in qualifying to start at the front.”
WestCoast Racing’s Kevin Gleason will be a rookie at the Spanish track, but he hopes to build on the positive Shanghai weekend, where he scored a podium:“Shanghai was a really successful weekend for WestCoast Racing as a whole,” said the American. “It’s really positive to get such strong results at this early stage of the season, as it shows that the team’s hard work really has paid off. I had faith in WestCoast Racing from the moment I started work with the team and, having spent two race weekends with them, my confidence has only grown.”
Gleason has never seen the track before, but as the event’s schedule includes a full day of testing he is hoping this will help him fine-tuning the car:“Of course, all of the circuits on the 2015 TCR International Series calendar are new to me, while other drivers might be familiar with them. It’s difficult to set any targets as a result and I’ll hopefully get some solid testing time to understand how the Honda Civic TCR is going to get on and find the car’s sweet spot.
“Since shaking down the car at Monza, we’ve taken positive strides with the car in terms of handling and driveability, but it’s still new to the team, Mugen and the drivers. We’re all on a big learning curve together.”
Action will start on Friday with a full day of testing, as a form of shakedown for the cars after coming back from Asia. The racing weekend will start on Saturday at 10.00 local time with the first 30-minutes Free Practice session, with the second starting at 12.30. Qualifying will be held at 15.00.
The races will take place on Sunday at 12.35 and 14.05 and will last 15 laps, with the usual reversed grid format for Race 2.
TCR International Series Valencia Entry List
No – Driver – Nat – Team -Car
No – Driver – Nat – Team – Car
6 – Franz Engstler – GER – Liqui Moly Team Engstler – Audi TT Coupé
7 – Lorenzo Veglia – ITA – Liqui Moly Team Engstler – SEAT León Cup Racer
8 – Mikhail Grachev – RUS – Liqui Moly Team Engstler – Audi TT Coupé
10 – Gianni Morbidelli – ITA – WestCoast Racing – Honda Civic TCR
11 – Lucile Cypriano – FRA – JSB Compétition – SEAT León Cup Racer
17 – Michel Nykjaer – DEN – Target Competition – SEAT León Cup Racer
19 – TBA – TBA – Campos Racing – Opel Astra OPC
20 – Igor Skuz – UKR – WestCoast Racing – Honda Civic TCR
21 – Jordi Oriola – SPN – Campos Racing – Opel Astra OPC
24 – Kevin Gleason – USA – WestCoast Racing – Honda Civic TCR
25 – Stefano Comini – SUI – Target Competition – SEAT León Cup Racer
32 – David Cebrián Ariza – SPN – JSB Compétition – SEAT León Cup Racer
33 – Andrea Belicchi – ITA – Target Competition – SEAT León Cup Racer
34 – Bas Schouten – NED – Bas Schouten Racing – SEAT León Cup Racer
47 – Norbert Tóth – HUN – Zengo Motorsport – SEAT León Cup Racer
72 – Diego Romanini – ITA – Proteam Racing – Ford Focus ST
74 – Pepe Oriola – SPN – Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil – SEAT León Cup Racer
77 – Sergey Afanasyev – RUS – Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil – SEAT León Cup Racer
88 – Jordi Gené – SPN – Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil – SEAT León Cup Racer
TCR International Series Valencia Timetable
Friday 1st May
09:00 – Free Test
14:00 – Free Test
Saturday 2nd May
10:00 – Free Practice 1
12:30 – Free Practice 2
15:00 – Qualifying
Sunday 3rd May
12:35 – Race 1 (15 Laps)
14:05 – Race 2 (15 Laps)
TCR International Series Valencia Success Ballast
Driver – Team – Car – Weight
Gianni Morbidelli – WestCoast Racing – Honda Civic TCR – +30kg
Andrea Belicchi – Target Competition – SEAT León Cup Racer – +20kg
Stefano Comini – Target Competition – SEAT León Cup Racer – +10kg
