Georgia will host a round of the TCR International Series in 2017 after a three-year deal was agreed with the Rustavi International Motorpark and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in Tbilsi by Girogi Mgebrishvili, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Shota Abkhazava, President of the Georgian Automobile Sport Federation, and Marcello Lotti, CEO of WSC Ltd who promote the TCR concept.
“It has been a great privilege to be received by Georgia’s Minister of the Internal Affairs and it is a great pride for us to see that the whole Country is so keen on organising a TCR International Series round from next year,” said Lotti. “Georgia is a beautiful place and we believe that our event next year will attract a lot of motorsport fans.”
Georgia have already been sponsoring all of the cars on the TCR International Series grid with a ‘Visit Georgia’ strapline, in part to play on the success of Georgian racer Davit Kajaia in the series.
“Hosting such a top level event in Georgia will put our Country on the map of International Sports,” believes Mgebrishvili. “Georgia will also receive an additional flow of tourists and will present itself as an interesting location for sport and tourism.
“Another message that will be associated to the TCR International Series event in Georgia will be the importance of the Road Safety Campaign we support.”
Minister Abkhazava is looking forward to welcoming the small country’s first-ever international motorsport event next year.
“It’s an historical moment for us, as next year’s TCR International Series event will open a new page for motorsports in Georgia,” he added. “It is very important not only for those who work in the automotive industry, but for the whole Country.
“We are obviously very proud that our circuit will host the first ever motorsport international event in Georgia.”
Whilst races at the Rustavi International Motorpark were first held in 1979, the circuit fell into disrepair until 2009 when it was completely renovated. Now the circuit is classified as FIA Grade 2.