WTCR: No points for Kris Richard
FRUST STATT FREUDE Kris Richard's self-financed guest appearance in the WTCR at the Nürburgring ended soberingly. The Honda Civic TCR provided for him was not fast enough. As a result, the driver from Bern remained far away from the points. It had become apparent in the first qualifying, was confirmed in the first race run, dragged on in the second qualifying [...]
It had become apparent in the first qualifying session, was confirmed in the first race run, carried through to the second qualifying session and continued in Rounds 2 and 3 on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Kris Richard had figuratively drawn a blank and with the Honda Civic Type R TCR one of the slowest cars in the field.
The vehicle used by Team KCMG (behind which is factory partner Honda) was the first chassis of the new Type R in TCR specification. A number of development test drives were completed with it. It goes without saying that the Honda was not spared in the process.
So certainly not the best car, although Honda in itself is one of the winning brands. Without its undisputed qualities, the Argentine Esteban Guerrieri would not have been able to win the second race at the Nürburgring.
Bringing up the rear
Starting from 21st place, Richard classified himself in P17 among 27 competitors in the first race over three laps on Thursday evening, but five of them stayed on the track. The Swiss gave everything again the next day in order to qualify better for Races 2 and 3 in the preliminary program of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
But his time, 12 seconds behind the fantastic best practice time of reigning FIA WTCC champion Thed Björk (Hyundai), only resulted in last place on the grid. Although he quickly managed to overtake the two Cupra TCR cars that had started ahead of him, in the end he had to make do with a third-last and a second-last place.
Reminder of the points in the FIA WTCC
The frustration was correspondingly deep. After all, the Swiss had won a round of the ETCC on this difficult track two years ago, the level of which is not so much lower than his classification now reflected.
Kris Richard: "I fought and tried everything I could. But as in qualifying, I couldn't do any more. I expected much more here, certainly a place in the top 10."
What was the reason?
Kris Richard: "The chassis was too soft, and there was also a lack of engine power. You can feel and see that. On this track, stiffness would be extremely important. I'm convinced that anyone else in this field would be one to two seconds faster at most with it."
A claim that is not made up out of thin air. In November 2017, Richard scored points in the FIA WTCC in Qatar with a strong sixth place on a Chevrolet Cruze, beating former world champion Yvan Muller - who had won the first race at the Nürburgring on his own team's Hyundai i30 N TCR. For Richard in the WTCC, as for Muller now in the WTCR, it took a competitive car to do it.
Looking ahead to TCR Europe
So besides expenses, nothing has been.
Kris Richard: "Anyone who knows me knows that I can drive faster. It's just frustrating when it doesn't work out. It's a pity, it cost a lot of money and didn't bring anything. I could have invested it in a start at the 24-hour race or in a round of the ADAC GT Masters. The GT3 class appeals to me anyway."
He now has no choice but to tick off the issue and concentrate on the next round of the TCR Europe next weekend in Zandvoort (NL). A top result, which he already came close to at the season opener in Le Castellet, would be balm on his wounds.
With Target's Hyundai i30 N TCR, Kris Richard at least knows he has a competitive car.
