WTCC could be set for a return to Macau in 2017

The World Touring Car Championship may be back at Macau in 2017 as part of a potential World Cup event in the Chinese region, after the TCR International Series confirmed it won’t be returning next year.

The WTCC last raced at Macau in 2014 during the first year of its new TC1 technical regulations, but opted to move its finale to a night race in Qatar from last season, after negotiations with the former organisers over the race’s schedule reached an impasse.

With the Macanese ASN, the AAMC, now having more involvement with the running of the event, the situation has changed. This year, the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix has also been given official FIA World Cup status along with the GT Cup, with the FIA more involved with the iconic event.

As a result, Macau is set to three FIA “World Cup” races in 2017, with the WTCC potentially providing the cars or the leading class for a “Touring Car World Cup” at the historic event.

“We’ve never said we won’t go back to Macau which has been, and still is, an iconic race in Asia which would always welcome international media exposure,” said WTCC promoter François Ribeiro to TouringCarTimes.

The younger TCR International Series took over as the provider of entries for what’s know as the Guia Race last year, and will hold its season finale there again this year.

This year’s race however will be part of a combined event with China Touring Car Championship cars and a handful of non-regular TCR-class cars, while the series has confirmed they will not be continuing its association with the Macau event from 2017.