Liqui Moly Team Engstler have announced Russian Mikhail Grachev as their second driver for the inaugural TCR International Series. The 27-year-old, a former Russian Touring Car champion and race-winner in selected ETCC and ADAC Procar outings last year, will join team-owner Franz Engstler and an as yet unnamed third driver for the full season in a VW Polo TCR.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge. A series of races in three continents is something very special. I feel at ease in Touring Car competitions and I am confident that Franz and I form a strong pair,” Grachev said.
Grachev will race on home turf when the TCR International Series visits the Sochi Autodrom, first used by Formula One last year, on June 21st.
It follows news that a new TCR Russian championship, promoted by the Russian National Sporting Authority (RAF), will run alongside the S2000-spec Russian Circuit Racing Series in 2015, before a separate class is launched for 2016.