TCR at 2022 FIA Motorsport Games

[FIRE]

This weekend second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games. Like in 2019 (IIRC great racing) there's also a TCR event. This years event is at Paul Ricard in France.

From touringcartimes.com:

...
The touring car event will kick off with free practice at 17:20 CET on Friday before second practice on Saturday at 12:20.

Qualifying is scheduled for later that day at 18:05 to set the grid for the qualifying race on Sunday morning at 9:40 before the medal-deciding race at 14:30.

FIA Motorsport Games Touring Car Cup entry list:
No – Driver – Nation – Entrant – Car
#2 – Gabriel Lusquiños – Switzerland – Volcano Motorsport – Cupra Leon Competición
#3 – Andy Yan – Hong Kong – ALM Motorsport – Honda Civic Type R
#16 – Gilles Magnus – Belgium – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
#17 – Travis Hill – Canada – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
#18 – Aaron Cameron – Australia – Aaron Cameron – Peugeot 308 TCR
#19 – Andreas Bäckman – Sweden – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
#20 – Teddy Clairet – France – Clairet Sport – Peugeot 308 TCR
#21 – Valters Zvierdris – Latvia – Team Latvia – Audi RS 3 LMS
#22 – Chris Smiley – United Kingdom – Chris Smiley – Honda Civic Type R
#23 – Didrik Esbjug – Norway – Esbjug Motorsport – Honda Civic Type R
#26 – Isidro Callejas – Spain – Motorsport Team Spain – Cupra Leon Competición
#29 – Ignacio Montenegro – Argentina – ALM Motorsport – Honda Civic Type R
#30 – Pavlo Chabanov – Ukraine – Volcano Motorsport – Cupra Leon Competición
#33 – Giacomo Ghermandi – Italy – LEMA Racing – Cupra Leon Competición
#62 – Jack Young – Ireland – ALM Motorsport – Honda Civic Type R
#77 – Rafael Reis – Brazil – Volcano Motorsport – Cupra Leon Competición
#101 – Sergio Lopez Bolotin – Venezuela – Auto Club RC2 Valles – Audi RS 3 LMS
#133 – Tom Coronel – Netherlands – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS

[redshoes]

Livestream on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6G...bAkJfxYUwZdCTA

[FIRE]

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2022...ames-practice/

Magnus fastest in 1st practice.

[tux]

Not great was it?

[Jon411]

Have been watching the race this morning and then the proper race now but it's a bit of a non-event really.

Even with the breakdowns and there being wtcr teams/ drivers - I wasn't expecting the field spread to be so big - Smiley pretty much 2.5 seconds per lap slower than the leaders.

I'd partly blame the track to be fair - I've never enjoyed a touring car (or any other form of motorsport) race at Paul Ricard - I know there are other more powerful disciplines but they would be better on a smaller track.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by tux

Not great was it?

Circuit definitely doesn't help! Shame for Magnus and Clariet. Bit stagnant at the front but a few good battles in the midfield.

Still early days for the event though, hopefully see an improvement next year.

[FIRE]

Track isn't great, or at least racing at this track doesn't look great to due the large tarmac zones. Still I enjoyed the racing.

[Evantra]

The event will be held every two years, with 2024s event at Valencia.

[GusGasfuss]

I don't understand, why there are not more entries from big "TCR-Countries". And that some Countries send drivers who are not really on the spot...

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by GusGasfuss

I don't understand, why there are not more entries from big "TCR-Countries". And that some Countries send drivers who are not really on the spot...

I'm sure money is a big part of the answer to that question.

[TuteZaek]

Originally Posted by GusGasfuss

I don't understand, why there are not more entries from big "TCR-Countries". And that some Countries send drivers who are not really on the spot...

I was thinking the same, for Argentina, for example, even if Montenegro has a huge future, he Is coming from TC2000.
While we also have TCR europe champion and current TCR points leader Girolami, his brother, Guerrieri or even TCR SA champion and second place, Pezzini and Rosso.

There are TCR "native" options, so the roster confuses me.

[FIRE]

Probably not interested or more likely no budget.

[GusGasfuss]

You are right, that might be the reason.


But in general, if you like to do a "Motorsport Olympia", FIA should declare best drivers from each country. Or at least local Motorsport officials should decide, who could be best driver of their country.

And not money.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by GusGasfuss

But in general, if you like to do a "Motorsport Olympia", FIA should declare best drivers from each country. Or at least local Motorsport officials should decide, who could be best driver of their country.

And not money.

If you are comparing to the Olympics, that not how the Olympics works. The IOC doesn't decide the best athletes from each country and invite only them. Each national committee decide which athletes will represent them.

At national level each sport may or may not have existing funding. The less well supported sports may require the athletes to raise funds themselves.

Athletes at the Olympics don't wear sponsors logos, but that doesn't meant they don't have sponsorship.

[NaBUru38]

FIA created the Motorsport Games, which I had proposed for years.

However, they just said "ok, each country can pay for an entry if they want".

Surprise surprise, the Uruguayan Automobile Club has no budget to pay Santi Urrutia for a ride.

[GusGasfuss]

Originally Posted by redshoes

If you are comparing to the Olympics, that not how the Olympics works. The IOC doesn't decide the best athletes from each country and invite only them. Each national committee decide which athletes will represent them.

At national level each sport may or may not have existing funding. The less well supported sports may require the athletes to raise funds themselves.

Athletes at the Olympics don't wear sponsors logos, but that doesn't meant they don't have sponsorship.

Yes. I know, but as we have no Motorsport-IOC, they should find someone else to decide who is eligible for it.
In human sport, also the local championships decide, who is able to go to Olympia. Of course there is support from sponsors or local authorities.


In my opinion, there should be equal cars (maybe one make only), where the best drivers of regional TCR classes compete against each other.

Maybe all on Fiat Tipo TCR, as no one would have experience on it.
That would be a great race. And maybe we know, who is really the best touring car driver....

[FIRE]

In cycling (track, road, MTB) there are also different brands.

[GusGasfuss]

Originally Posted by FIRE

In cycling (track, road, MTB) there are also different brands.

Yes, but i believe there is less influence into athletes strength. And in a way it is two wheels with chain transmission etc.

Only brakes/dampers make difference.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by GusGasfuss

Yes, but i believe there is less influence into athletes strength. And in a way it is two wheels with chain transmission etc.

Only brakes/dampers make difference.

True - but many factors about a car may suit one driver over another.