2022 Touring Car Discussion Thread - TCR, BTCC, etc.Touring Cars

[VulcanSpirit]

Another year gone, another new Touring Car discussion thread opened.

And what way to kick things off than with the announcement that MB Motorsport have secured title sponsorship from ROKiT and an 'operational partnership' with WSR for the coming BTCC season. Jake Hill is confirmed to drive a single BMW 3 Series (330e M Sport) for the revitalised outfit.



EDIT: WSR tweet confirming that Hill will indeed form part of their 2022 driver line-up through this partnership:

 

[VulcanSpirit]

TCR Europe to use Kumho tyres for 2022, in line with similar developments for the TCR Spain, Eastern Europe and Denmark national championships.

 

[05XR8]

We'll see iF TCR Australia & New Zealand switch from Michelin.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

TouringCarTimes reports that we could be seeing a new-generation Civic TCR sometime this year.



WTCR managing director hints towards the possible adoption of hybrid regulations for 2023.

 

[Michelin Man]

Ricky Collard is reportedly planning a full-time BTCC entry, potentially with Laser Tools in the Q50, as a few names are linked with that vacant third seat.

Ricky Collard working on BTCC comeback in Laser Tools Infiniti

www.autosport.com

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Trio of recent TCR-specific developments.

Team Engstler to field two Civic TCRs in WTCR this year. Drivers for the four-strong Honda line-up are confirmed to include Tiago Monteiro, Attila Tassi (both Engstler), Esteban Guerrieri and Nestor Girolami.

Plug-in mild hybrid kits confirmed for TCR by the WSC Group.

Key information from the official website:

• 20-30 kW (24-40bhp) boost via regenerative braking.
• Aimed to be offered at an 'affordable price'.
• Can be installed in existing TCR machinery, including 'second or third hand' cars.
• Development tests set to be completed by the end of January; series tests remain possible subject to initial performance and reliability.
• Scheduled to be ready by 2023; championships using this system will be renamed HTCR.

TCR Italy announce their 6-round 2022 season calendar:

• 22/24 April - Monza
• 6/8 May - Imola
• 3/5 June - Misano
• 15/17 July - Mugello
• 2/4 September - Imola
• 16/18 September - Vallelunga

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Tom Ingram extends his multi-year deal with EXCELR8, confirming his place within the team until the end of 2023.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Team HARD announce an extended deal with Yazoo which sees the flavoured milk drink brand assume title sponsorship for this season. Have to say it was a bit of a shaky season for the Cupras last year, but hopefully the switch to hybrid drive will make things less of a rollercoaster ride for Goff, Taylor-Smith and the rest of their 2022 line-up once the season proper gets underway...

 

[CodeRedR51]

A YouTube channel I am subscribed to did a documentary about one of their friends driving at the Petit Le Mans Pilot Cup support race last year in a Veloster N TCR. And it came out pretty damn good. The production quality that these guys put out is incredible. Highly recommend watching this piece!

 

[05XR8]

Honda confirms 2022 return with Tony D’Alberto and Wall Racing - TCR Australia

Honda Australia has confirmed it will continue its partnership with Tony D’Alberto and Wall Racing in the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, as the major sponsor of the lead Honda Civic Type R TCR. The renewed deal will make […]

tcraustralia.com

 

[05XR8]

GRM to consolidate to two TCR makes

Two Garry Rogers Motorsport Renaults and one of its Peugeots in a battle at Symmons Plains. Picture: Supercheap Auto TCR

www.speedcafe.com

 

[desmodan]

Read on Autosport that Clelland and Leslie are dragging their old 1990's super touring cars out of retirement for a few support races. Hopefully it's going to be a well supported grid.
Does anyone have any ideas which rounds they'll be racing ?

 

[Roo]

Read on Autosport that Clelland and Leslie are dragging their old 1990's super touring cars out of retirement for a few support races. Hopefully it's going to be a well supported grid.
Does anyone have any ideas which rounds they'll be racing ?

Unlikely to be Leslie, the poor fellow. I'd guess Anthony Reid?

Edit: just checked, yes, Reid. Colin Turkington too

 

[05XR8]

TCR wraps up hybrid system testing

TCR has been testing the Mild Hybrid Kit throughout January A hybrid energy recovery system could soon become a feature

www.speedcafe.com

 

[desmodan]

Unlikely to be Leslie, the poor fellow. I'd guess Anthony Reid?

Edit: just checked, yes, Reid. Colin Turkington too

My bad. Started watching old races on YouTube n got a bit carried away .

 

[VulcanSpirit]

NAPA Racing UK unveil their 2022 livery:

 

[05XR8]

Makes the car look so stubby. Love it.

 

[Michelin Man]

Change of team for Dan Lloyd, as he joins EXCELR8 for 2022 in his second full campaign.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Interesting move from Lloyd; he did seem to get more out of the Astra than Plato by last season's end, so I'm curious to see what PMR's plans are for the year ahead.

Can only be a good thing for EXCELR8, as they now have two proven title challengers if we add Lloyd's TCR experiences to the equation.

 

[Michelin Man]

Agreed, the prospect of Lloyd and Ingram in the Hyundai's makes for a strong pairing in itself. His full campaign last year showed he more than had what it takes, driving the ageing PMR Astra.

Speaking of which, it makes things intriguing with regards to PMR. Least of which with their driver lineup, in terms of what Plato will do. And secondly, a new car must be due soon, seeing as the Mk6 Astra was released last year. And their Mk5 is showing its age now.

 

[05XR8]

Will Brown to return to Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in 2022 - TCR Australia

Will Brown, the inaugural Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series champion, this year returns to the series as part of a TCR super-team with reigning champion team Audi Sport Customer Racing and renowned German oil brand, LIQUI MOLY, as naming rights […]

tcraustralia.com

Michael Caruso joins Ashley Seward Motorsport for 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series - TCR Australia

Ashley Seward Motorsport has achieved a major coup for the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, securing the services of accomplished racer Michael Caruso to drive its Alfa Romeo Guilietta Veloce TCR, to be backed by Autoglym Australia at the […]

tcraustralia.com

Stan Sport onboard with Fabian Coulthard for debut start in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia - TCR Australia

Stan Sport is kickstarting its new multi-year broadcast deal in a big way, with Supercars race winner Fabian Coulthard set to make his Supercheap Auto TCR Australia debut with the backing of Stan Sport at the opening round of the […]

tcraustralia.com

 

[Spacegoat]

Will Brown to return to Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in 2022 - TCR Australia

Will Brown, the inaugural Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series champion, this year returns to the series as part of a TCR super-team with reigning champion team Audi Sport Customer Racing and renowned German oil brand, LIQUI MOLY, as naming rights […]

tcraustralia.com

Guessing this means Chaz won't be defending his title then. That's a shame.

 

[05XR8]

Yeah. There’s another driver in one of the other MPC Audis. Don’t think there’s room for Chaz now.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Team Dynamics confirm an unchanged 2022 pairing of Gordon Shedden and Dan Rowbottom. Halfords and Cataclean also remain as primary sponsors.

 

[05XR8]

Stan. covered of TCR is about to begin. At the moment, S5000 and Trans Am qualifying are on.

Edit: Good stuff by the RS3 LMS. Hondas had better speed than last year. More competitive field than last year as well.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Figures, I subscribe to Motorsport.tv so I can keep watching TCR Australia and the stream has decided it just doesn't want to work for Race 2. Edit: It was never fixed and now they have removed it from the website completely. 😒

 

[05XR8]

Another decent race. Again, tighter racing flag to flag.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Figures, I subscribe to Motorsport.tv so I can keep watching TCR Australia and the stream has decided it just doesn't want to work for Race 2. Edit: It was never fixed and now they have removed it from the website completely. 😒

Mate, when are you going to just move to Australia? 😆

 

[CodeRedR51]

Mate, when are you going to just move to Australia? 😆

Make your citizenship laws a bit easier and I may consider it 🤣

 

[05XR8]

Aw, booo that one.