Touring car racing: ASS promotes TCR class
SCHWEIZER SPORT Auto Sport Schweiz (ASS) is announcing a TCR Swiss Trophy for 2018, which could develop into a separate circuit championship. TCR touring cars will have their own classification in the 2018 Slalom and Mountain Championship. It has been official from the Swiss sporting authorities since today, Monday, after the international TCR organization communicated this on Friday, contrary to the agreement [...]
Since today, Monday, it is official on the part of the Swiss sports authority, after the international TCR organization had already communicated this on Friday contrary to the agreement: The Swiss Auto Sport Association (ASS) now announces a TCR Swiss Trophy, which is reserved for TCR touring cars (sedans with turbo engines up to max. two liters displacement and front-wheel drive).
According to ASS, this is a purely commercial trophy based on cooperation with promoters of TCR championships in Europe. These have agreed to have one of their events included in the TCR Swiss Trophy.
It begins on April 29 in Imola (TCR Italy), followed by the races on May 21 in Zandvoort/NL (TCR Benelux and Europe), June 10 in Spielberg/A (TCR Germany), August 19 in Assen/NL (TCR Benelux and Europe) and September 23 in Monza (TCR Europe).
The regulations of the respective host TCR championship apply, also with regard to tires and race format. The Swiss drivers receive separate points according to their classification in the relevant races. Anyone wishing to be classified must score points in at least two of the five events, with four of them being counted.
If the idea is well received, there could be a separate Swiss TCR championship based on this concept from 2019. However, separate Swiss events are out of the question.
Many Swiss people own or drive TCR touring cars. In some cases, however, these are used by foreign teams that concentrate on a championship. However, it is quite conceivable (and desirable) that Swiss teams such as Rikli, Schläppi, Topcar and Wolf-Power will expand their field of activity to include the new ASSR TCR Swiss Trophy with Swiss drivers who are already involved or who will join them.
Separate TCR classification for Swiss hill climbs and slaloms
What is certain is that the booming TCR class will be given its independence in Swiss races. Until now, drivers with TCR cars had to start in Group E1. Therefore, from 2018, all TCR cars that comply with the international technical regulations of the TCR Series and the special provisions of the NSK will be divided into their own division (Mountain) or class (Slalom) and scored for the championships.
To receive full points, there must be at least eight participants in the mountain championship for touring cars and five in the slalom championship. It will definitely be exciting to see how the TCR develops nationally and internationally in Switzerland.
