Belgian team Comtoyou Racing will continue its involvement in the 2022 TCR Europe series, as it fields two new PSS-backed Audi RS3 LMS TCR cars for Frnaco Girolami and Viktor Davidovski alongside an Audi for Tom Coronel.
Last year the team ran a trio of the older-spec Audi RS3 cars, and this season it will upgrade its cars to the latest specification.
Although Coronel is well known to the team, both Girolami and Davidovski are new to the outfit.
Last year, Argentine Girolami proved himself as one of the series’ strongest drivers, picking up two race wins and being a title contender for much of the year, ultimately finishing second overall after losing out to the on-form Mikel Azcona.
Macedonian driver Davidovski has been one of the series’ most prolific drivers since joining in 2018, and this year he will switch from Honda machinery to racing an Audi for the first time.
The 41-year-old enjoyed his strongest season to-date in 2021, when he picked up a career-best fourth overall at Le Castellet early in the season.
Comtoyou Racing has previously enjoyed significant success in TCR Europe, having won the Drivers’ title in 2020 with Mehdi Bennani, the same year it also won the outright Teams’ title. Last year the team was runner up in the Teams’ classification.
“We remain very loyal to TCR Europe because it is a highly professional, high-level and at the same time enjoyable championship,” said Team Principal Jean-Michel Baert.
“The championship’s relatively small staff work wonders and the sporting level increases year upon year.
“These last few seasons we achieved excellent results with two titles in 2020 and a good hard fought second place last year.
“It goes without saying that our ambitions are once again focussed in that direction.”
Girolami, 30, is looking forward to tackling a second successive season in European touring cars, having previously competed extensively in his native Argentina.
“I’m delighted that Comtoyou Racing, Audi Sport and Viktor Davidovski have put their trust in me for this 2022 edition of the TCR Europe,” said Girolami.
“I’m really looking forward to driving and getting the feel of the new Audi RS 3 LMS as also beginning to work with the team.
“I want to get as many kilometres under the belt as possible in order to put in a good performance in the first race in Portimão, Portugal.
“We face a big challenge ahead to defend the honour of the team and the make, so I will give it my all, 110%.”
Davidovski is the series second-most experienced driver, having missed only five events since it became a full championship in 2018.
“First and foremost, I wish to thank François Verbist [Team Manager], who believes in me and offers me the opportunity to be a part of Comtoyou Racing and the Audi family,” said Davidovski.
“I have rather more experience and will be part of a fabulous team, and on top of that at the wheel of the new Audi RS 3 LMS.
“We will give it our all to earn the trust we have been granted. Last but not least, it is an honour for me to be teamed up with Tom Coronel and Franco Girolami.”