AmD Tuning Team Principal Shaun Hollamby says that his outfit are “really keen” on exploring the possibility of entering the new TCR UK Series in 2018, alongside existing commitments in the British Touring Car and British GT championships.
Hollamby’s team already runs cars in the BTCC and British GT, campaigning Audi and Mercedes machinery. The West Thurrock-based team originally entered the BTCC in 2010 where it has become a mainstay, whilst its first forays into British GT came in 2015.
Now Hollamby is looking to the new TCR UK Series as another potential addition to the team’s racing portfolio, with the low costs and likely lack of clashes with the BTCC being particularly attractive to the team.
“I think it’s quite exciting that a TCR championship is coming to the UK,” said Hollamby to TouringCars.Net. “I’m surprised it has taken as long as it has to enter one of the prime motorsport markets in the world, and I have no doubt that’s also to do with the fact that British Touring Car Championship is so strong.
“As a racing team it’s very good for us to be running in something else that doesn’t clash with British Touring Cars, and doesn’t take away from our BTCC effort.
“We’re really keen, and the other side that’s interesting to me is that there’s also use for the cars outside of the British TCR championship. We could probably run a car in some of the Creventic long-distance races as well as the Dubai 24 Hours. You can race the car in various other championships.
“Obviously the running costs are less than British Touring Cars, the costs of the cars are less, and there’s not a lot to not like.”
Hollamby insists that cost is not the only factor, and he appreciates the loyal following which the BTCC has built up, adding that for TCR UK to be a success will likely take some time.
“The big thing with British Touring Cars is that it’s so strong and has such a huge fan base, which has taken more than 50 years to build up; so it’s not going to happen overnight for TCR.
“We’re really keen to stay involved in British Touring Cars. I think in some ways a bit of competition is never a bad thing.”
The former racer also believes the packages which TCR partners with are hugely attractive, with Hollamby also suggesting that he wouldn’t be surprised to see a TCR race on the support package of the British Grand Prix – something which the BTCC has not achieved since the 1996 season.
“The good thing for TCR in the UK is that it’s a proven product already. It’s not as if it’s in the first year – everybody knows about it because it’s been going for three years and it’s got a big following.
“One of the biggest things will be if we can see a round of it at the British Grand Prix, which again is a shame that British Touring Cars isn’t there for whatever reason. That’s now not on the agenda. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see TCR on the British Grand Prix timetable next year.
“We’re very interested.”