TCR series Promoter Marcello Lotti has revealed that as new TCR European Trophy will be created for the 2016 season, which will see teams who compete regularly in their national series given the opportunity to race for the European Trophy.
The plans were announced by WSC CEO Marcello Lotti at the TCR Promoters meeting in Memmet, Belgium, where the BeNeLux series was being launched.
Under the rules for the new trophy, competitors will be able to race in up to six or seven events across Europe, with a maximum of four events counting towards the final trophy score.
The teams must comply with the sporting regulations of the host country, including using the same control tyre nominated by the local series.
Lotti explained that teams and drivers would only need to contest four of the events to be eligible for the new trophy.
“This is a commercial trophy, based on the cooperation with the promoters of the TCR national championships in Europe,” said Lotti. “The plan is to nominate six or seven events, one per each country that will have a TCR championship, and make four of them valid to award the Drivers’ and Teams’ European Trophies.”
Events in Benelux, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Russia have been provisionally included on the calendar for the new trophy. Dates will need to be agreed with the local promoters.
“Our priority is encouraging the participation in the national series, and we don’t want to see drivers and teams deciding to enter in the European Trophy rather than in their own country’s series.”