Former World Touring Car Championship promoter Marcello Lotti has revealed further information about his forthcoming TC3 Series, which is set to be officially announced on the 18th September.
Following a light-on-detail announcement two weeks ago, Lotti has now revealed that he is behind the new series, planned to launch in 2015 with several events supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship.
“This new concept has come about as a direct result of the experiences faced by the different national Touring Car championships,” explained Lotti about the new series. “There is a strong demand for competitive cars that can be purchased and run at reasonable costs.
“There is one car that already meets all criteria I’ve mentioned: the single-make trophy SEAT León. It has already proved to be the perfect customer racing car, launching a number of young drivers to successful careers in national, regional and even world championships.
“A number of manufacturers have cars that are potentially eligible for TC3; to mention only a few others, there are Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type-R, Mercedes CLA 45 AMG, Opel Astra OPC and the Volkswagen Golf GTi. All these models are, by their very nature, suitable to answer the need.
“TC3’s biggest aim will be to reinforce the Touring Car category, recreating the basis of the ‘Touring Car Pyramid’ through a worldwide racing product. The Technical Regulations have been conceived to provide close, exciting racing and these Regulations will be further levelled by a Balance of Performance system.
“As a result, I think manufacturers and tuners will be able to reinforce and enlarge their customer racing communities and teams and drivers will be given the opportunity to grow and gain experience within Touring Car racing.
“The TC3 International Series will be awarding one Drivers’ title and one Teams’ title, whilst participation will be limited to eight teams, in order to achieve a maximum of twenty-four cars. Further details will be given in due course.”
This series looks like it could be a winner.