Norwegian racer Stian Paulsen has become the first driver to announce his plan to fight for the TCR European Trophy in 2017, as he enters his SEAT León TCR into the Trophy.
The 29-year-old has entered his own team into the running for the event, which will take place at the Adria International Raceway later into the year.
Paulsen previously competed in the German Volkswagen Polo Cup in 2007 before moving onto the Belgian Renault Clio Cup in 2008, and more recently the SEAT León Eurocup in 2014 and 2016.
Last year he finished third overall in the SEAT León Eurocup, taking the title fight to the wire, ultimately losing out to Niels Langeveld at the final meeting.
Paulsen has set himself a longer-term goal of breaking into international touring car racing on a regular basis, using the TCR European Trophy as an initial stepping stone to that goal.
“I am very excited by this programme,” said Paulsen. “The plan is to take part in the five European rounds of the TCR International Series and then in the TCR Europe final at Adria.
“Looking further ahead I will be working to add a couple of overseas events in 2018 and eventually taking part in the full International Season in 2019.”