TCR World Tour 2023 (formerly known as WTCR)

[Rubio]

TCR World Final event format revealed:
https://tcr-worldranking.com/news/it...-ranking-final

A bit complicated but there will be plenty of action with lots of cars

[NaBUru38]

I think it's pretty reasonable. My only tweak suggestion is that World Ranking drivers should be split into groups A, B and C with a seeded draw, not with a pure random draw.

[FIRE]

But will there be more than 20 cars? At the end it's all about available budget.

[NaBUru38]

I'd be surprised if the Saudis don't subsidise the logistics.

[FIRE]

In GT3 Comtoyou will switch from Audi to Aston Martin. They will enter also GT4 with the British brand.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...-for-2024.html

I think it's not unlikely Comtoyou will leave TCR.

[FIRE]

2023 Macau Guia Race – TCR World Tour entry list*
## – Niels Langeveld – NED – TBA – TBA
## – Pepe Oriola – ESP – TBA – TBA
27 – John Filippi – FRA – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
34 – Tom Coronel – NED – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
71 – Ben Bargwanna – AUS -Team Clairet Sport – Peugeot 308TCR
105 – Norbert Michelisz – HUN – BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
1XX – TBA – BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
111 – Thed Björk – SWE – Lynk & Co Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
112 – Santiago Urrutia – URY – Lynk & Co Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
122 – Frédéric Vervisch – BEL – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
129 – Néstor Girolami – ARG -TBA – Honda Civic Type R TCR FL5
155 – Ma Qing Hua – CHN – Lynk & Co Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
168 – Yann Ehrlacher – FRA – Lynk & Co Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
179 – Rob Huff – GBR – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
196 – Mikel Azcona – ESP – BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse – Hyundai Elantra N TCR

Source: https://www.touringcartimes.com/2023...-are-released/

[Andrew Abbott]

Esteban Guerrieri is also set to compete in TCR in another Honda Civic FL5.

[Rubio]

Amazing Race 1, definitely one of the best TCR races this year.

Btw, the commentator trio of Paul Jeffrey + Australian commentators worked really well

[Umai Naa]

Mr Jeffrey need not have turned up.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Rubio

Amazing Race 1, definitely one of the best TCR races this year.

Btw, the commentator trio of Paul Jeffrey + Australian commentators worked really well

Agreed

Race two and three also entertaining.
Looking forward to Bathurst.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

Mr Jeffrey need not have turned up.

I thought it was Tony Delahunty at first!

[pimmy]

Huff now only one point behind Norbi in the standings.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by pimmy

Huff now only one point behind Norbi in the standings.

# Driver Country Manufacturer Pts
01 Norbert Michelisz flag Hyundai 327
02 Robert Huff flag Audi 326
03 Yann Ehrlacher flag Lynk & Co 306
04 Mikel Azcona flag Hyundai 289
05 Frédéric Vervisch flag Audi 257
06 Néstor Girolami flag Honda 240
07 Ma Qing Hua flag Lynk & Co 218
08 Thed Björk flag Lynk & Co 217
09 Santiago Urrutia flag Lynk & Co 194
10 Will Brown flag Audi 92

Bathurst (3 races) and Macau (2 races) to go.
On both tracks is not much room for error.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Rubio

the commentator trio of Paul Jeffrey + Australian commentators worked really well

Indeed!

Camera direction on the other hand...

[FIRE]

This weekend Bathurst.

[Rubio]

All 3 races were cool, bringing World Tour to Bathurst was a brilliant idea.

Hope it will become a permanent fixture

[S griffin]

Bathurst is as good for sprint racing as it is for long distance. Lovely circuit, great idea to bring the World Cup here

[pimmy]

Good racing, yes. Shame only a handful of people turned up to watch it!

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by pimmy

Good racing, yes. Shame only a handful of people turned up to watch it!

Yes, it shows it will take time to get enough fans back. Too much self destructing in the past has turned people off it

[FIRE]

I enjoyed the races.
Hopefully they return to Sydney and Bathurst next season.

[NaBUru38]

No major pilepus in Macao race 1, congrats!

A bit boring too, but that's not unexpected.

[Umai Naa]

Race 2 was supposedly decent.

[Rubio]

A pretty decent final, reminds a bit of old WTCC times when a few different drivers and makes were in contention for the title. Huff was close, without that contact with Urrutia it could have been a nail-biter.

Though this year's Macau edition clearly lacked competitive entries. Having more drivers would have most likely decreased the team tactics factor. Hopefully more will be added to 2024 edition.
Most of strong Asian field stuck to TCR China, which was obvious in terms of their season.

In general, IMO it was a very good first edition of TCR World Tour. Hope it will revitalize world touring car racing a bit and the series will continue to grow next year

[NaBUru38]

Race 2 had a few long interruptions. I watched it in delay on the website, so I easily skipped the safety cars.

Urrutia didn't have enough pace to keep in front of Vervisch. He also did some dubious zigzags in the fast sections. My Uruguayan friend IgnacioR96 thinks that Urrutia braked on purpose to get hit by Huff, but I disagree.

[NaBUru38]

I've seen a few Turismo Nacional races, which are usually crazy. So TCR races are usually quite boring to me.

However, the big issue for the TCR World Tour is the lack of media coverage. Even Motorsport.com ignores it... no wonder it lacks star power.