AUSTIN, TX. – SRO Motorsports America, the producers of the TC America series (formerly Pirelli World Challenge), enjoyed a strong inaugural season for the new TCR category in North America. The series averaged nearly fifteen TCR entries per race, with strong representation from Alfa, Audi, Honda, Hyundai and VW. At season’s end, it was Ryan Eversley in the RealTime Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR that won the driver’s title, with Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport securing the Manufacture and Team titles respectively.
With the beginning of the new TC America era, SRO Motorsports America worked closely with World Sporting Consulting (WSC), the creators of TCR, to enhance the competitiveness of the various platforms eligible to race. Based on participant and manufacture feedback, TC America announces the TCR DSG Cup within the overall TCR category.
“When we reviewed all the data from 2018, we realized we needed to do something to support our teams who are racing DSG transmission cars,” said Jim Jordan, TC America class manager. “The cars are fantastic to race and drive, however at times it did not appear to be a level playing field. We spent most of the off season working with all stakeholders to reach this agreement. I am proud of the work done by Marcus Haselgrove and the rest of the TCR technical working group both in the US and Europe on this solution.”
Audi and VW offer TCR cars equipped with either sequential or production based DSG transmissions. While both transmission types have shown success, the DSG transmission has low maintenance characteristics that make it extremely popular with teams. However, at certain tracks and conditions the DSG equipped entries have struggled to keep up with the full sequential transmission cars.
“We were early and strong supporters of the TCR concept,” added Greg Gill, president and CEO of SRO Motorsports America. “We want to continue to grow the class. The addition of the DSG Cup will help continue to build momentum for the TCR category in North America.”
The DSG Cup will feature it’s own podium, scoring, and points structure. At the end of the season, a Champion will be crowned and recognized at the SRO Worldwide Banquet. TC America kicks off it’s season at Circuit of the Americas on March 2-3 before visiting North America’s finest race tracks.
SRO Motorsports Group, the architect of modern GT racing
Over the past 25 years SRO has specialised in the promotion and organisation of motorsport series around the world. Inextricably linked with GT racing’s revival in the early 1990s, currently SRO predominantly promotes series that adhere to the successful GT3 and GT4 regulations. Indeed, these rules – a common framework allowing manufacturers, teams and drivers to compete equally with one another – have helped to establish SRO as the global leader in customer GT racing.
Today, SRO’s influence and organisation can be seen around the world. Its flagship continues to be the European-based Blancpain GT Series, which features both the Sprint and Endurance Cups. Its annual highlight remains the iconic Total 24 Hours of Spa.
SRO Motorsports Group is chaired by company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel and has offices in London, Paris, Liège, Austin, and Hong Kong. Its dedicated team of full-time and freelance staff work with the support of numerous national sporting authorities and sanctioning bodies to offer teams, drivers and manufacturers the world’s best professional, Pro/Am and amateur GT racing platforms.
Comments
