WestCoast Racing’s Kevin Gleason says that the TCR International Series is the ‘perfect fit’ for him, as the American racer moves from Production-based touring cars to purpose-built tin tops.
Gleason joined the crack Swedish touring car team for 2015 having previously raced in the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge. Speaking to TouringCars.Net ahead of the first European TCR meeting, Gleason explains that there are numerous differences between his previous steed and his current purpose-built racing car.
“I’m from a production based background, with ABS and less power and this is definitely more of a race car with ABS, a really stiff platform, more power and good tyres in the Michelins,” said Gleason. “Last year I met a guy, David Madgwick [Gleason’s manager], and he introduced me to some opportunities outside the United States. I bounced around a little bit, and I was searching for a different opportunity for this season and the TCR one ended up coming to the front.
“It’s a great opportunity with WestCoast Racing – they’ve got a great track record. It’s just one of those things that just came together.
“I wanted to do something to differentiate myself because there’s so many drivers from other countries that are racing in the United States. You’re really limited by what you can race and you’re limited by budget, which tends to get quite high in the States. I was really just looking to differentiate myself and to be able to put myself in a different series on a different level and go up against some top-notch guys, to try to build up my name a little bit.”
Having been thrown in at the deep-end with races supporting the Formula One Malaysian and Chinese Grand Prix, Gleason adds that he has learnt a significant amount since making his début in the series at the end of March.
“I’ve learned so much in the first two races alone, and I think the championship is just going to find its legs more and more as the year goes on. I’m learning a lot and building as a driver myself, so I’ll be able to grow with the series.
“I’m just taking it one race at a time and focussing on myself and improving my skills on the track, off the track and to learning as much as I can.”
Not only is Gleason facing a new challenge this year, but so is WestCoast Racing, who are campaigning a brand new JAS Motorsport built Honda Civic.
“We’re all learning together – the car’s been very good,” added Gleason. “We’re still working on the setup and trying to figure out what the car needs and what it likes in terms of setup, so we’re still all learning together.
“We’re taking a step forward every race – the guys are working flat out. With single driver sprint races and no pit stops, it might not seem to be that much work, but these guys have been working like they’re at a 24-hour race every weekend with long days – but it’s shown off with our improvement.
“Between WestCoast, JAS Motorsport and Mugen [Honda’s engine tuner], they’re all working together to improve each part of the car.
“The SEAT’s have been around for a while, but I guess their development hasn’t been as steep as ours.”
TCR qualifying takes place at 15:00 CEST (14:00 BST) on Saturday and will be streamed via the series’ official website at www.tcr-series.com.