Paul Ricard season opener marks new era for TCR Europe
TCR Europe will kick off at Paul Ricard, France, this weekend. The series has been running ever since 2016, although with a completely different format compared to this year.
The first edition of TCR Europe had no less than 65 entrants, but it was a commercial trophy in which none of the drivers who entered competed in all of the events. Selected races of each major national European championship (Russia, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain) were part of the trophy, which was wan by Pierre-Yves Corthals. A single-event format was chosen for 2017, which saw Peugeot’s Aurélien Comte, now a World Touring Car Cup regular, take the honours equal on points with Giacomo Altoè, who was on his home track at Adria.
This year’s edition features seven events in as many countries, starting off in France. No less than 26 cars were entered for the first event of the season and, although some of them are expected to be one-offs, one can expect the grid size to be as healthy as in Paul Ricard at each race.
Audi, Cupra, Honda, Hyundai, Peugeot, Subaru and Volkswagen will all be represented on the grid, with big names from TCR International series such as former champions Stefano Comini (Subaru), Jean-Karl Vernay (Audi) and race winner Attila Tassi (Honda), as well as national champions Josh Files, Nicola Baldan, Francisco Mora and Francisco Abreu, with former ETCC champion Kris Richard also featuring on the grid.
Hyundai will be represented by no less than eight cars, with Honda and Cupra present with five cars each. The Korean manufacturer will also have TCR International race winner Dusan Borkovic on board.
The level of the drivers and teams is so high it is almost impossible to predict who will win, although one can safely expect the show will be very entertaining, as was the International Series for the past three years. It remains to be seen if two-time International Series champion Stefano Comini will have the tools to fight for the crown. The Subaru WRX STI has struggled in its most recent outings, but the Top Run-built car has completed its homologation cycle and is therefore expected to be more competitive than in the past. It certainly is in good hands with the Swiss behind the wheel.
The amount of youngsters coming from single seaters shows a renewed tendency from juniors towards touring cars, with some six drivers coming from karting or open wheel racing and not in their twenties yet.
The weekend will start on Friday at 12:04 for the first free practice session, lasting 30 minutes. The second is scheduled for 17:54. Qualifying will begin on Saturday at 9:58 with the usual Q1-Q2 format, whereas the first race is scheduled for 14:40. The second race will be held on Sunday, starting at 15:50. Both races will last 23 minutes + 1 lap.
TCR Europe – Paul Ricard timetable:
Friday 4th May:
12:04 – Free practice 1
17:54 – Free practice 2
Saturday, 5th May:
9:58 – Qualifying
14:40 – Race 1
Sunday, 6th May:
15:50 – Race 2
