Pirelli World Challenge set to introduce TCR class in 2018

The USA’s principal touring car series, the Pirelli World Challenge, has voiced its intention to introduce a TCR class for their 2018 season.

The championship, which has races across the whole of the USA, has said it is looking to add a TCR class to its existing three-tier touring car structure, known as TC, TCA and TCB.

“We’ve communicated with them that we’re interested in that,” said promoter WC Vision’s president Greg Gill to Sportscar365. “We were one of the first series to start looking at (TCR) last summer.

“Our concerns then are the same concerns we have now: the number of manufacturers that will support it Stateside.”

The only official manufacturer programmes currently openly developing cars for TCR include SEAT, Opel, Peugeot, Honda and Volkswagen, although only the latter two manufacturers have markets in the USA.

Gill said it was key to viability of the programme that the manufacturer has a strong parts distribution in the USA for TCR to succeed within the series.
“We would look for that type of approach for TCR. Audi Sport customer racing does a good job and we understand they are looking at a programme. I don’t know BMW’s interests are but they do a fantastic job.

“There’s a definite level of manufacturers that we work with and respect. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Gill’s announcement follows on from a statement from the organiser of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge promoter, part of the United SportsCar Championship support package, that they are also looking into introducing a TCR class from the 2018 season.

“We’re early days in the dialogue, but where it’s been racing for some time, and is more established,” said IMSA president Scott Atherton to Sportscar365. “It’s a formula everyone seems to appreciate: the manufacturers, the participants.

“They’re good-looking (cars). They sound great and they’re fast. Everything about it seems to be positive.”