TCR UK 2024

[SSmith]

Pro Alloys Racing to run two Lynk & Co 03 TCR in 2024. Drivers TBA

https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/lynk-co-03-tcr-pro-alloys-racing/

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Pro Alloys Racing to run two Lynk & Co 03 TCR in 2024. Drivers TBA

https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/lynk-co-03-tcr-pro-alloys-racing/

Nice to see a new, current-gen car on the grid!

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Nice to see a new, current-gen car on the grid!

Definitely! Its good that Pro Alloys have support from Geely Group Motorsport customer racing and its a strong endorsement of the developments made to TCR UK.

[coffinpilot]

Would love to see a TCR highlights package again on TV somewhere. Not SportyStuff or some backwater channel, and not with Jake Sanson again.
I know it's not something easily done, but even the increased stream totals doesn't seem to be enough to justify the current BTCC 'exodus' of giving the series a shot.

[antnee]

Round up of the announced entries

Carl Boadley - Leon Cupa
Luke Sargent - Leon Cupra
Brad Hutchinson - car TBA
Callum Newsham - Hyundai i30
Will Beech - Golf GTi *
Ryan Bensley - Lynk & Co
Garry Townsend - Audi RS3
Jeff Alden - Astra *
Rick Kerry - Seat Leon *
Cedric Bloch - Audi RS3*
Will Powell - Civic Type R

Others;
Taylor Race Developments - 2 seats
Pro Alloys Racing - 1 seat

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by antnee

Round up of the announced entries

Carl Boadley - Leon Cupa
Luke Sargent - Leon Cupra
Brad Hutchinson - car TBA
Callum Newsham - Hyundai i30
Will Beech - Golf GTi *
Ryan Bensley - Lynk & Co
Garry Townsend - Audi RS3
Jeff Alden - Astra *
Rick Kerry - Seat Leon *
Cedric Bloch - Audi RS3*
Will Powell - Civic Type R

Others;
Taylor Race Developments - 2 seats
Pro Alloys Racing - 1 seat

Hutchison is in the Cupra, he posted on Social Media a few days ago that they're running one ans that the Audi is up for sale.

[TyH]

heard a rumour Senna Proctor was interested in taking the other Lynk and Co. seat.

Not sure how credible it is, but it would be good to see a driver of Proctor's calibre in the series

[Evantra]

https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/mauger-moto...ionship-debut/

Another debutant team with an older Cupra. Gen 1 Cup looks to be fairly decently populated, but there doesn’t seem to be too much happening at the sharp end of the grid so far.

[Craner Curves]

That's a blast from the past! Good rally driver in a MK2 Escort and didn't he do Formula Ford before going on the rally scene?

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by TyH

heard a rumour Senna Proctor was interested in taking the other Lynk and Co. seat.

Not sure how credible it is, but it would be good to see a driver of Proctor's calibre in the series

I heard that one too, at Snetterton last week, also heard it might have changed with the extra cars coming to BTCC. I suspect that there are a few people holding off TCR for the moment to see where things land.

[el_cat]

Is there a consolidated list anywhere of confirmed entries? Seems like the grid is looking fairly healthy again - which is great news - but with more interest in the Gen 1 class

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by el_cat

Is there a consolidated list anywhere of confirmed entries? Seems like the grid is looking fairly healthy again - which is great news - but with more interest in the Gen 1 class

Copied from above:

Round up of the announced entries

Carl Boadley - Leon Cupa
Luke Sargent - Leon Cupra
Brad Hutchinson - car TBA
Callum Newsham - Hyundai i30
Will Beech - Golf GTi *
Ryan Bensley - Lynk & Co
Garry Townsend - Audi RS3
Jeff Alden - Astra *
Rick Kerry - Seat Leon *
Cedric Bloch - Audi RS3*
Will Powell - Civic Type R

Others;
Taylor Race Developments - 2 seats
Pro Alloys Racing - 1 seat
Mauger Motorsport - 1 seat - Seat Leon*

[coffinpilot]

Hutchison in the ex-Steve Gales Cupra Leon he raced at Donington next year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3M_1wJtPhZ/

Darelle Wilson will run his Astra for a customer, or fit in a couple of races himself
https://motorracinguk.com/2024/02/10...-for-free-now/
(Page 40)

[Evantra]

https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/lewis-switc...ndai-for-2024/

Darron Lewis in a Hyundai i30

[antnee]

Updated list

Carl Boadley - Leon Cupa
Luke Sargent - Leon Cupra
Brad Hutchinson - Leon Cupra
Callum Newsham - Hyundai i30
Will Beech - Golf GTi *
Ryan Bensley - Lynk & Co
Garry Townsend - Audi RS3
Jeff Alden - Astra *
Rick Kerry - Seat Leon *
Cedric Bloch - Audi RS3*
Will Powell - Civic Type R
Mark Smith - Leon Cupra*
Darron Lewis - Hyundai i30

Others;
Taylor Race Developments - 2 seats
Pro Alloys Racing - 1 seat
Mauger Motorsport - 1 seat - Seat Leon*

[Evantra]

So that’s 17 cars at the moment, counting those with unconfirmed drivers, of which 11 are in the main class?

Ten days until season launch, is that pretty much the grid set or are there a few more to be announced? Doesn’t seem to be as much going on as last year. Seems like it’ll be fairly easy for Boardley at the moment.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Evantra

So that’s 17 cars at the moment, counting those with unconfirmed drivers, of which 11 are in the main class?

Ten days until season launch, is that pretty much the grid set or are there a few more to be announced? Doesn’t seem to be as much going on as last year. Seems like it’ll be fairly easy for Boardley at the moment.

Think there might be a couple that are still holding out on the last few BTCC seats and if they don't get them , they'll be in TCR.

Wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd Lynk&Co was someone with previous in BTCC.

[coffinpilot]

Is there not a possibility that some people might be holding out for a better deal?
Once the BTCC registration passes I agree that a few might look at TCR, but could there be a few who want TCR who might wait till the last minute to take a drive to down the cost a little?

Can't agree on Boardely having it easy. I think Hutchison in the Cupra will be a little faster, maybe not as clever, but look at Donington race one. I know he dominated race two before being DSQ with Smiley (and according to the teams a few more would have failed on that - which wasn't a performance advantage) but his race one performance was one of the best of the year, and for a full season? Not all in the hand of one man me thinks.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Is there not a possibility that some people might be holding out for a better deal?
Once the BTCC registration passes I agree that a few might look at TCR, but could there be a few who want TCR who might wait till the last minute to take a drive to down the cost a little?

Can't agree on Boardely having it easy. I think Hutchison in the Cupra will be a little faster, maybe not as clever, but look at Donington race one. I know he dominated race two before being DSQ with Smiley (and according to the teams a few more would have failed on that - which wasn't a performance advantage) but his race one performance was one of the best of the year, and for a full season? Not all in the hand of one man me thinks.

I also wonder if a few people (like Shepherd and Winfield did last year) will compete on a race-by-race basis, depending on finances, and so haven't made an official entry confirmation.

I'd say Boardley is favourite, but that Hutchison has the potential to run him close. I'd also say Newsham, if the team can get the i30 N running more reliably than 2023, has the chance to fight near the front, whilst Powell and the Civic, and the Lynk & Co effort are slightly unknown quantities coming into the season.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I also wonder if a few people (like Shepherd and Winfield did last year) will compete on a race-by-race basis

I think we knew the Kents weren’t coming back, but have the likes of Ley, Brickley or Marshall confirmed anything?

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I think we knew the Kents weren’t coming back, but have the likes of Ley, Brickley or Marshall confirmed anything?

Brickley has said on socials he's trying to get a deal together for TCR UK, haven't heard a thing about Marshall, I know his car was up for sale, and Ley looks like he's going to be placed in TCR Italy by Hyundai.

As for Winfield, I saw an interview after Brands where he said he was done with TCR and had sold his car, but might race a couple of Civic rounds because he just can't afford to pay out for TCR anymore. Similar with Shepherd. But I do wonder. If the grid doesn't attract a few more fast drivers, would it be worth giving it another shot? They both could challenge if added to what is there so far.

[coffinpilot]

Also agree on Powell and Newsham. Terrible luck for the lad last year with the i30. Should have been a few wins. Powell was in a similar BTCC position to Boardley, so if that translates to TCR form he should be up there on days where the FK7 is on it, but will it match the Cupra or Audi with a decent driver?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Brickley has said on socials he's trying to get a deal together for TCR UK, haven't heard a thing about Marshall, I know his car was up for sale, and Ley looks like he's going to be placed in TCR Italy by Hyundai.

As for Winfield, I saw an interview after Brands where he said he was done with TCR and had sold his car, but might race a couple of Civic rounds because he just can't afford to pay out for TCR anymore. Similar with Shepherd. But I do wonder. If the grid doesn't attract a few more fast drivers, would it be worth giving it another shot? They both could challenge if added to what is there so far.

Ok thank you Seems like it’ll be a bit light at the front then.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Brickley has said on socials he's trying to get a deal together for TCR UK, haven't heard a thing about Marshall, I know his car was up for sale, and Ley looks like he's going to be placed in TCR Italy by Hyundai.

As for Winfield, I saw an interview after Brands where he said he was done with TCR and had sold his car, but might race a couple of Civic rounds because he just can't afford to pay out for TCR anymore. Similar with Shepherd. But I do wonder. If the grid doesn't attract a few more fast drivers, would it be worth giving it another shot? They both could challenge if added to what is there so far.

Thanks for that update. RE the Winfield and Shepherd "worth giving it another shot?" point - if it was deemed in the best interests of the championship to have more proven winners on the grid, would the championship coordinators (the Lines family) perhaps step in and offer some gentle assistance?

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Also agree on Powell and Newsham. Terrible luck for the lad last year with the i30. Should have been a few wins. Powell was in a similar BTCC position to Boardley, so if that translates to TCR form he should be up there on days where the FK7 is on it, but will it match the Cupra or Audi with a decent driver?

That was behind my thought process with Powell. Whilst he was largely quite slow in BTCC (although there are some mitigating factors such as the equipment at his disposal in 2022 and the un-competitiveness of One Motorsport last year), I wouldn't say he was a million miles off Boardley. TCR has rejuvenated Boardley - perhaps its the relative lack of stress and the motivation of being able to fight for wins (and of course then win a title). Both factors could help Powell. As for the FK7, I completely agree - its still a decent bit of kit but lacking the performance upgrades of a CUPRA Leon Competicion or an Audi RS 3 LMS Gen II. It'll be interesting to see if the FL5 returns later in the year.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Thanks for that update. RE the Winfield and Shepherd "worth giving it another shot?" point - if it was deemed in the best interests of the championship to have more proven winners on the grid, would the championship coordinators (the Lines family) perhaps step in and offer some gentle assistance?



That was behind my thought process with Powell. Whilst he was largely quite slow in BTCC (although there are some mitigating factors such as the equipment at his disposal in 2022 and the un-competitiveness of One Motorsport last year), I wouldn't say he was a million miles off Boardley. TCR has rejuvenated Boardley - perhaps its the relative lack of stress and the motivation of being able to fight for wins (and of course then win a title). Both factors could help Powell. As for the FK7, I completely agree - its still a decent bit of kit but lacking the performance upgrades of a CUPRA Leon Competicion or an Audi RS 3 LMS Gen II. It'll be interesting to see if the FL5 returns later in the year.

Not sure about the grid being 'shored up.' From the outside one has to assume that TCR will make less money than last year. I did read an interview where Powell said something along the lines of 'Boardley in his Cupra was no faster or slower.'