Newly-formed American TCR team Icarus Motorsport will enter the 2017 TCR International Series with a pair of SEAT León cars, one of which will be driven by co-founder Duncan Ende.
Ende has built a reputation racing GT and Sports Cars in the United States, having competed in the IMSA Lites, Grand-Am, American Le Mans Series and the Pirelli World Challenge.
The 32-year-old will now face his first season competing in touring cars, with the new team committed to entering a brace of León cars.
“We started the team specifically for TCR International and we are thrilled to be joining the championship with SEAT Sport,” said Ende. “The TCR formula is enjoying tremendous success worldwide and we are greatly looking forward to Icarus Motorsports making its debut fighting in the International series.
“SEAT Sport have been of great help getting us ready to race and it is easy to see why they are the gold standard in touring car customer racing.”
The team will become the first American outfit to join TCR and will work in partnership with the workshop of Nicky Pastorelli in Modena.
“Speaking as a driver, touring cars were one of my first loves when I discovered racing growing up and I’m chomping at the bit to get out there myself after ten years racing GTs and prototypes,” said the Californian racer.
“I’ll be driving one car and we are presently working on putting together the programme for the second car.”