Jörg Schrott: “TCR the perfect platform for Opel Motorsport”

Head of Opel Motorsport Jörg Schrott was present today at the launch of the latest creature of the sporting division of the German brand. TouringCarTimes met up with the German to discuss the future of the new Opel Astra TCR.

“The TCR concept is the perfect platform for Opel Motorsport,” said Schrott. “It fits perfectly within the strategy of providing high level motorsport products, as we are not looking into a manufacturer involvement. The car we produced mirrors that strategy.”

With the car fitted already with the safety requirements the FIA will impose starting from 2017, Schrott said it was a question of making the product durable, but also suitable for endurance racing: “We have a strong tradition in endurance racing, especially at the Nordschleife, so we know we have requests for both TCR and endurance. It gives our customers more value for their money. The car costs 95,000€ plus VAT, so it also matches the pricing guidelines for the TCR Series.”

In terms of image, the German is happy his cars will race both in international and regional championships: “What we would like to do is to have a kind of European-based market, because that is where Opel competes on the market. On the other hand, it is not hard to turn the Astra TCR into a Chevrolet, so it is a possibility we might consider in the future. The International and German championships will be our main focus.”

Schrott underlined the importance of having a winning car, so much that one of them will race with Opel colours: “One of the three cars we would like to introduce in the International Series will race in our traditional colours. The plan is to have a good package so that the team we choose as our main partner will be able to have paying drivers, but also a driver who can win the championship. That is up to us, to find the right partner, as there will be no financial backing from us to that respect. We will provide technical and logistical support, that is for sure.”

Jörg Schrott is also very happy about the presence of rival brand Volkswagen: “We love competition, so I am very happy they are in with the Golf. It will be exciting, especially in the German series. I think that one year from now the concept will have grown so much that we will have even more company.”

The Opel Astra TCR will start further aerodynamic studies before hitting the track this month.