JAS Motorsport continue to be frustrated with the Balance of Performance [BoP] situation in TCR, despite Target Competition’s Josh Files taking victory in ADAC TCR Germany last weekend.
Ahead of last weekend’s TCR races in Germany, Russia and China, the technical department of TCR organisers WSC Ltd reduced the BoP weight for both the Honda Civic Type-R and Audi RS3 LMS TCR cars.
Files then went on to win race one in Germany – his fourth of the season – but JAS Motorsport’s TCR Project Leader Mads Fischer was still frustrated that the Honda is the heaviest car on the grid at a total running weight of 1,305 kg.
“This was a magnificent victory by Josh and Target, achieved in a Civic still badly affected by a Balance of Performance that, in my opinion, is still not equal enough,” said Fischer.
“If you ignore Josh, who had no success ballast either, the best Honda driver in race one was seventh; and race one is the one where your qualifying speed really shows.
“I admit the latest BoP change last week – which reduced the weight of the Honda by 10kg – has helped us, but the Civic remains much heavier than some of the other cars, despite having never shown a significant performance advantage across the season, and this needs to be further addressed.”
Fischer also heaped praise on Files and the Target Competition team who have a 77 point advantage at the top of the drivers’ championship standings, despite retiring from race two at the Nürburgring with accident damage.
“I’m delighted to see Josh and Target Competition return to winning ways,” added Fischer. “They’re a fantastic partnership and are well on their way to making it two championships in a row.”
Race two at the Nürburgring saw two JAS Hondas finish in the top ten, in seventh and eighth respectively, whilst Kris Richard was spun out and finished 26th and three other Honda drivers retired from the race.