Swiss racer Alain Menu will race Top Run Motorsport’s new Subaru STi TCR car in the TCR International Series events in the final two meetings of the year in Thailand and Macau.
Fresh from substituting for the injured Warren Scott in this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season finale at Brands Hatch in the UK, Menu will then head out to Thailand two weeks later to contest the TCR races in Buriram, Thailand.
The Top Run Subaru made its début in the previous meeting in Singapore, with Italian driver Luca Rangoni at the wheel. The car respectably finished its first race, despite missing both practice sessions and qualifying due to logistical issues. It is understodo that Rangoni will continue in the team’s first car, with Menu taking the wheel of a second Subaru.
Menu, a former two-time BTCC champion, returns to international touring car racing for the first time since the 2012 season, when he competed in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
It is a challenge that the 52-year-old is looking forward to, with completely new surroundings awaiting the Swiss.
“This will be one of the greatest challenges in my racing career, as in Thailand I will have to cope with a new team, a new car, a new championship and a new racetrack altogether,” explained Menu. “But I like challenges!
“Because Top Run is currently building a second car, I hope we will run a test before the event. In any case we will treat Thailand as a shake down, an occasion for us to get to know each other and prepare for Macau.
“I love the place, it is one of the most exciting circuits in the world and I have always been fairly competitive there. Therefore I wish we’ll be in a position to do well.”
Team Manager Renato Russo called the opportunity to work with Menu ‘unique’ and is looking forward to the inputs from the 23-time WTCC race winner.
“To have Alain driving for us is a unique opportunity,” said Russo. “We couldn’t wish for a more experienced and faster driver to help us in the process of developing the Subaru TCR.
“For the whole team this is a fantastic motivation to do our best and give him a competitive car.”