The TCR Concept World Championship, the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, begins this weekend at the Marco Simoncelli World Circuit in Misano, kicking off its fourth season and the third under the supervision of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
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The Italian round is the first of an eight-event calendar that will take the championship to Spain, France, and Portugal between June and July, before heading to the East with rounds in South Korea, China (twice), and Macau between September and November.
This first round will feature two races in Misano, although in four events of the season three races are held, totaling twenty races that will award FIA titles to drivers and teams.
This event marks the first time the Marco Simoncelli World Circuit in Misano hosts a TCR World Tour race. Although its layout is considered the most suitable for touring car races, it hosted the MotoGP GP from 1980 to 1993 and again since 2007. In 1993, the circuit was extended from 3488 m to 4060 m, and in 1997 new facilities and pits were built. Finally, in 2007, it was extended to 4226 m and the track direction was reversed.
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One of the novelties for this season will be the modification of the Sporting Regulations with the aim of improving the spectacle. Now, the fastest lap of Race 1 will give an extra position on the grid for Race 2. Another change is that the BoP (Balance of Performance) will be exclusive to the FIA TCR World Tour.
South America will have three drivers on the grid at this first event. Those continuing from last year are the Uruguayan Santiago Urrutia, who will debut with the new Geely model, and the Argentine Esteban Guerrieri, who will compete with a Honda Civic Type R FL5 from GOAT Racing. The only newcomer will be another Argentine, the young Ramiro Zago, who will also be with a Honda, in this case from MM Motorsport.
