The calendar for the 2020 TCR Europe series has been changed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, resulting in the season not now starting until Oschersleben in Germany at the end of June.
The season had originally been set to get underway supporting the TCR Spa 500 endurance race at Spa-Francorchamps later this month, but it had become clear that would not be possible due to the pandemic in Europe and the unprecedented lockdown in European countries.
The season is now scheduled to get underway at Oschersleben on the 26 – 28 June, whilst Spa, which will be run in support of the Total 24 Hours of Spa, moves to a late July date.
If it is not possible to get the season underway in late June then the event at Oschersleben has a spare date in October.
The second event of the year was originally planned to be at the Red Bull Ring in Austria from the 15 – 17 May, but this has been cancelled altogether, whilst the season has been shortened to six events rather than seven.
TCR Europe is one of the last major touring car championships to announce a change to its calendar due to coronavirus.
“We delayed the announcement while we were considering different options to group the events together in what it is now believed to be a safer period,” explained promoter Paulo Ferreira.
“However, we are continually monitoring the situation and we are ready to react quickly to further amend the calendar, with the aim of granting our competitors enough time to prepare before the season begins.
“The current circumstances have also meant that we will skip the second event, at the Red Bull Ring (15/17 May) and taking into consideration the coronavirus’ impact on the financial situation, we have also decided to reduce the calendar to six race meetings instead of seven.
“We have done our best to maintain a good number of rounds in the period that is expected to be safer, as far as the contagion is concerned.
“The TCR Europe family, teams and circuit promoters will work together to overcome these challenging times, keeping in mind that the safety and well-being of all the people involved in the championship remains the utmost priority.”
TCR Europe revised calendar
26/28 June, Oschersleben
17/19 July, Paul Ricard
24/25 July, Spa-Francorchamps
11/13 September, Zolder
25/27 September, Monza
9/11 October, Barcelona