TCR World Tour 2023 (formerly known as WTCR)

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by pimmy

Well, would you look at that.

That's a bit weak really. I was hoping they'd combine with TCR Germany & Italy at least.

With TCR Italy you would get a grid with +40 cars.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Alessio

I would rather they go to another Asian circuit like Bangsaen or another round of TCR China, instead of Macau. If entries are open/travel restrictions are easy enough by next year, the GP will find a large(-ish) international grid regardless if it's attached to a major series, so may as well promote and give visibility to another event instead...

I'm also concerned that the calendar is so focused on TCR Europe, feels like it could end up harming grids rather than helping.

There are only three European events, all in the first part of the season. Or am I missing your point?

Projected 2023 TCR World Tour Calendar
28-30/4 – Portimao – Portugal
26-28/5 – Spa – Belgium
16-18/6 – Hungaroring – Hungary
TBC/8 – TBC – South America*
TBC/8 – TBC – South America*
TBC/11 – TBC – Australia*
TBC/11 – Bathurst – Australia**
TBC/11 – Macau – China*

* = Venue and date unconfirmed
** = Date unconfirmed

With Portimao, Spa, Hungaroring, Bathurst () and Macau so far the calendar looks good.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Macau is a massive event, of course it's a good idea to be there (other than the authoritarian government).

It's a like it or hate it track but touring cars have a long history.
And agree about the government.

[S griffin]

Can't disagree with the circuits they've chosen so far. Bathurst and Macau certainly deserve it for their history alone

[Alessio]

Originally Posted by FIRE

There are only three European events, all in the first part of the season. Or am I missing your point?

Thinking that too many rounds with TCR Europe could lead to few actually signing up for the whole European season or dropping out part of the way through with Tour drivers running at the front - little financial incentive for drivers and teams with smaller budgets to turn up. Can’t remember what it was, but it’s happened before.

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Macau is a massive event, of course it's a good idea to be there (other than the authoritarian government).

Yes, it is massive. Hence why it could work as a standalone event, as it had done for 40-odd years before WTCC turned up. My point being: why go for the obvious option when you can promote another race that fits the exact same bill like Bangsaen? Do you want just Macau or perhaps have Macau and Bangsaen as big end of season events? Just a thought.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Alessio

Yes, it is massive. Hence why it could work as a standalone event, as it had done for 40-odd years before WTCC turned up.

My point being: why go for the obvious option when you can promote another race that fits the exact same bill like Bangsaen? Do you want just Macau or perhaps have Macau and Bangsaen as big end of season events? Just a thought.

So we are looking at different sides.

Your argument is: Macau doesn't need the TCR World Tour to be successful. I partially agree with you.

My argument is: the TCR World Tour should focus on successful events, rather than do standalone races with small crowds.

I hadn't heard of the Bangsaen Grand Prix. The venue is certainly impressive, though it's not known worldwide as Macau.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I hadn't heard of the Bangsaen Grand Prix. The venue is certainly impressive, though it's not known worldwide as Macau.

Isn't it even tighter than Macau?

[pimmy]

Bangsaen is a bit wider than Macau but both tracks have a hairpin covered by permanent yellows.

The thing that would hold Bangsaen back would be its lack of anything resembling a proper pit lane. The "facilities" at Vila Real are five-star in comparison.

[Alessio]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

So we are looking at different sides.

Your argument is: Macau doesn't need the TCR World Tour to be successful. I partially agree with you.

My argument is: the TCR World Tour should focus on successful events, rather than do standalone races with small crowds.

I hadn't heard of the Bangsaen Grand Prix. The venue is certainly impressive, though it's not known worldwide as Macau.

Both ideas are definitely valid, I'm also part-Thai so have some vested interest in seeing the region grow, but it's just my feeling that winning the Guia is a massive prize in itself hence why Huffy keeps going back!

Bangsaen is slightly wider and they have had pretty enjoyable TCR Asia races in the past, and they also make the pitlane work for GT driver swaps somehow. It's also slightly slower, so fewer 'massive' accidents and a smaller bill coming out of the weekend as a result.

Another issue is the quality of marshalls and track staff. Macau probably has the best marshalls in the world. Aside from the bigger accidents, obviously, they were able to clear stationary cars under local yellows throughout most of the weekend this year. It's a bit more average in Thailand, alongside a shorter lap, which does mean a fair amount of time spent behind the safety car. And there's probably also a very well-established freight route in place for international teams...

[steve_r]

I like the thought of TCRs going at it around Bathurst. But not if there are only about a dozen of them - if that happens it will look like a joke compared with the massive Aussie Supercars field. That's the worry.

The calendar looks a bit half hearted as it stands, with only a few rounds and lots of **TBC's

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I like the thought of TCRs going at it around Bathurst. But not if there are only about a dozen of them - if that happens it will look like a joke compared with the massive Aussie Supercars field. That's the worry.

Aussie TCR has already raced at Bathurst, they had around 18 entries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8GIQrmMusk

TCR World Tour will be running as extra entries alongside the local series.

[FIRE]

I like the idea of running alongside local championships.
Only downside could be if the world tour drivers/teams are much faster.

[TuteZaek]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I like the idea of running alongside local championships.
Only downside could be if the world tour drivers/teams are much faster.

I think that should be the normal thing.
The problem will be if its the opposite.

[Petoli]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I like the idea of running alongside local championships.
Only downside could be if the world tour drivers/teams are much faster.

Shame that is not really how its going to be

It would have been better they joined a different championship at each event

Rather then the 3 with TCR Europe

[Rubio]

There should be a 4th event in Europe according to the previous plans.

When TCR World Tour was announced, Marcello Lotti spoke that the series will have 4 European rounds, 3 rounds together with TCR Europe and 1 round in Italy. So unless they have changed their plans, we should get another round in Misano/Vallelunga/Mugello (shame it is not Monza or Imola) with TCR Italy

Let's see how it unfolds

[pimmy]

Mugello would be good, it's a great track for touring cars. But of course, Monza is the best.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by TuteZaek

I think that should be the normal thing.
The problem will be if its the opposite.

Why is that a problem?

[TuteZaek]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Why is that a problem?

I mean, on one side there are agurably the best drivers and teams of the speciality.
On the other, there is, for example, TCR SA with drivers on mostly limited or unstable programs or with TCR as a second or even third series. And Teams still learning the machinery
If the later were to dominate a race were the first are present... yeah, ill doubt the claims of "The Best of TCR" that the wolrd tour aims to achieve.

[Alessio]

Originally Posted by TuteZaek

I think that should be the normal thing.
The problem will be if its the opposite.

I disagree. If the leaders of the national/regional championships aren’t even close to the front, what’s the point in anyone other than the World Tour turning up and why join the two together?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Alessio

I disagree. If the leaders of the national/regional championships aren’t even close to the front, what’s the point in anyone other than the World Tour turning up and why join the two together?

Especially with half the season in TCR Europe... as a TCR Europe driver, why make the investment in the series when for so much of it you'll be relegated to a 'second class', or (may) not have a chance at running at the front?

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I like the thought of TCRs going at it around Bathurst. But not if there are only about a dozen of them - if that happens it will look like a joke compared with the massive Aussie Supercars field. That's the worry.

The calendar looks a bit half hearted as it stands, with only a few rounds and lots of **TBC's

27 cars ran in the most recent Bathurst 1000.

18 or thereabouts, ran at the last TCR event there.

[FIRE]

16-20 locals + 8-12 world tour = full grid

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Especially with half the season in TCR Europe... as a TCR Europe driver, why make the investment in the series when for so much of it you'll be relegated to a 'second class', or (may) not have a chance at running at the front?

Because you can win the TCR Europe title?

[samchevron]

https://www.tcr-series.com/news/item...on-kumho-tyres

Both TCR South America and TCR Brazil announce they will use Kumho tyres.
They already supply control tyres to TCR Europe, TCR Denmark, TCR Eastern Europe and TCR Spain

With TCR Europe using them this year, I wouldn't be surprised if Kumho becomes the control tyre for the TCR World Tour.

If that's the case, you could end up with TCR World Tour on Kumho and local drivers using the control tyre already in place by the promoter, unless it's Kumho as well.

[antnee]

I'm sure the points scoring will be kept separate for the world & local entries - just like any multi-class grids do.