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BTC Norlin evaluating TCR UK programme

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The BTC Norlin team has revealed that it is keen to add an entry into the new TCR UK series to its 2018 racing programme.

Bert Taylor’s team had been linked with a programme in TCR when the UK series was first announced last summer, but has since been quiet as it focused on putting together a new-look BTCC programme for 2018.

That programme will see the team switching from the Chevrolet Cruzes it campaigned in 2017 to a pair of ex-Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type-Rs for Chris Smiley and James Nash; the latter returning to British shores after spending recent seasons in the TCR International Series.

With the BTCC plans now finalised, attention has turned back towards the new TCR series, with Taylor amongst those team principals to meet with Marcello Lotti – the brains behind the TCR concept – earlier this week.

On the back on that meeting, Taylor revealed that he was now keen to get a car on the TCR UK grid and was actively in the market for a driver.

“After being invited to the meeting with Marcello on Tuesday, it was clear to see how serious they are about the TCR UK series,” he told TouringCarTimes. “It’s something we had been considering for a while, but having seen Marcello’s passion for the British series, we are now seriously looking into what we can do to be on the grid.

“Because there are no clashes with the BTCC, we would be able to run a dual campaign this season without any problems, and we have options when it comes to what car we could enter.

“We’re now keen to speak to any drivers who are looking to race in TCR UK this season, and are serious about expanding our programme beyond the BTCC for 2018.”