2016 European Touring Car Cup champion Kris Richard will make his début in the World Touring Car Championship at Motegi this weekend when he takes over the Campos Racing Chevrolet Cruze normally raced by Esteban Guerrieri.
Richard, who also finished tenth overall in this year’s ADAC TCR Germany Series, has been awarded with the drive from Eurosport Events thanks to claiming the Super 2000 crown in last year’s ETCC at the wheel of a Rikli Motorsport Honda Civic.
The Swiss racer had originally been offered the drive for this year’s Race of Italy, but was unable to claim the prize due to a clashing commitment in TCR Germany.
Now Eurosport Events have been able to give Richard his prize, thanks to a change in circumstances at Campos Racing which has seen Guerrieri vacate his seat.
“I don’t know the car, the team, the track, the WTCC or anything but these are plus points for me because I have no pressure,” said Richard. “I just go there to do the best I can out of the situation, completely free in the mind. I am really excited and really looking forward.”
Eurosport Events’ François Ribeiro is relieved to be finally able o give Richard the opportunity that he earned to compete in the WTCC.
“We are delighted to welcome another young talented driver to the WTCC in Kris Richard,” said Ribeiro. “We are also pleased his long overdue prize drive for winning the ETCC title in 2016 has come to fruition after a clash of events meant this had not been possible until now.”
An announcement about Guerrieri’s movements is expected shortly.