JAS Honda on TCR BoP: “The current system isn’t working”

JAS Motorsport has again hit out at the recent changes in the TCR organisation’s Balance of Performance, with their Honda Civic Type R TCR having struggled in recent events, with the M1RA team on the back foot at Oschersleben at the last round of the International Series, losing the lead of the championship with a pointless weekend.

Perhaps more noticeable was the difference in performance for the Belgian Boutsen Ginion Honda team in the TCR Benelux series at Zolder last weekend. The series raced at the same circuit just a month ago, with Benjamin Lessennes winning all five races, but last weekend, the team managed just two podium finishes, and saw their championship lead decimated – though the car was also carrying the maximum success ballast of 30kg in addition to the TCR BoP weight.

Eric Scalvini and MM Motorsport had a troubled weekend at Mugello in the TCR Italy series the same weekend, with the Italian losing the lead of the championship after problems in the second race, finishing in ninth.

“All the JAS Motorsport partner teams in action last weekend did an amazing job,” said JAS’s TCR project leader Mads Fischer. “With Balance of Performance the way it is presently, the situation is very tough for the Honda teams. They are having to push harder than ever before to make up the speed differential the extra weight that has been put on the Civics is causing. This increases the risks of both crashing and of car issues – which we’ve seen already.

“I know TCR has a very difficult job ensuring parity between cars, but it’s clear that the current system isn’t working and something needs to change. The perseverance, tactical awareness and driving performances from the teams in Super Taikyu, TCR Benelux and TCR Italy were superb, however and I’m very proud of the results all achieved in the circumstances.”