Rnd 1 & 2 TCR World Tour | Rnd 1 & 2 TCR Europe | Autódromo do Algarve, Portugal

[FIRE]

Sat Apr 29 - Sun Apr 30 2023 at Autódromo do Algarve, Portugal
Rnd 1 & 2 TCR World Tour
Rnd 1 & 2 TCR Europe

Schedule (Times in WEST)
Friday – April 28th
11:54 – Free Practice 1
16:42 – Free Practice 2

Saturday – April 29th
09:50 – Qualifying
14:20 – Race 1

Sunday – April 30th
11:30 – Race 2

2023 TCR World Tour entry list
105 – Norbert Michelisz – BRC Racing Team – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
111 – Thed Björk – Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
112 – Santiago Urrutia – Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
122 – Frederic Vervisch – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
129 – Néstor Girolami – MM Motorsport – Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR
155 – Ma Qing Hua – Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
168 – Yann Ehrlacher – Cyan Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
176 – Rob Huff – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
196 – Mikel Azcona – BRC Racing Team – Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2023 TCR Europe entry list
8 – Nicola Baldan – Aggressive Team Italia – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
10 – Viktor Andersson – MA:GP – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
11 – Viktor Davidovski – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
12 – Rubén Fernández – RC2 Racing Team – Audi RS 3 LMS
19 – Felipe Fernández – RC2 Racing Team – Audi RS 3 LMS
22 – Kobe Pauwels – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
23 – Isaac Smith – Volcano Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
27 – John Filippi – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
34 – Tom Coronel – Comtoyou Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS
39 – Lewis Brown – Volcano Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
48 – Mikael Karlsson – Aggressive Team Italia – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
62 – Dusan Borkovic – Target Competition – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
71 – Ben Bargwanna – Team Clairet Sport – Peugeot 308TCR
Source: Touringcartimes.com

[FIRE]

Huff quickest in pre-season test:
https://www.touringcartimes.com/2023...europe-opener/

[HoldingItFlat]

Only 9 world tour cars? That's dissapointing.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by HoldingItFlat

Only 9 world tour cars? That's dissapointing.

They race together with national and regional series.

[Alessio]

I'd still agree that it's a little more on the disappointing side, but at least all 9 drivers are incredibly talented so I can live with it. Also nice to see Lewis and Isaac, and Ben from Australia in the European series.

[v8supes]

Quite enjoyed Tom Coronel locking his helmet in the cab of the truck. Not 100% sure why the keys were inside tho as they had to smash the window of the truck to get inside....

[FIRE]

Norbert Michelisz on pole:
https://www.touringcars.net/2023/04/...world-tour-era

[Cinghio44]

The new Civic seems very stable! The new model should be competitive

[FIRE]

Youtube: Race 1

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Cinghio44

The new Civic seems very stable! The new model should be competitive

Promising result.
Of course Girolami is a good driver but ALM Motorsport is new on this level. Only one driver so they can't compare to other driver.

[matherto]

Not a massive entry list and not much variety. Lots of RS3's, should we be worried or is this par for the course?

[Cinghio44]

Originally Posted by matherto

Not a massive entry list and not much variety. Lots of RS3's, should we be worried or is this par for the course?

Audi Is working well with customers and the RS3 is very competitive! Probably is the fastest car right now...

But TCR needs some more new cars. Probably next year we will see more new Civica, I Hope that also the Corolla Will be raced in Europe. We'll se them when the championship will join South America races

As for race 1, a bit boring one... Seemed a bit tactical with no one taking real risks. Let's see tomorrow

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Cinghio44

But TCR needs some more new cars. Probably next year we will see more new Civica, I Hope that also the Corolla Will be raced in Europe. We'll se them when the championship will join South America races

Renault Megane just won in TCR Eastern Europe, completely forgot it even existed! Don’t think that races much else anymore.

Fiat Tipo looks to have disappeared as well.

At least there’s a new Peugeot planned.

[Rubio]

It was a nice first race in general (although fairly processional), fingers crossed for an action-packed battle in Race 2.

IMO, the series seems to lack high level competitors at the moment, because the difference between the World Tour and TCR Europe guys is significant. Hope some strong former TCR Europe regulars (like Files, Halder, Young, Franco Girolami etc.) can make it back to the grid in the future

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Rubio

IMO, the series seems to lack high level competitors at the moment, because the difference between the World Tour and TCR Europe guys is significant.

this is the problem that will happen everywhere they go with the world tour

they will make the local competitors look very second rate and it will be embarrassing for the local drivers and teams

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Evantra

At least there’s a new Peugeot planned.

Please tell me it’s the 508?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Please tell me it’s the 508?

Why would it be?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Please tell me it’s the 508?

308 3rd generation

It will be developed by Gary Rogers Motorsport.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Rubio

It was a nice first race in general (although fairly processional), fingers crossed for an action-packed battle in Race 2.

IMO, the series seems to lack high level competitors at the moment, because the difference between the World Tour and TCR Europe guys is significant. Hope some strong former TCR Europe regulars (like Files, Halder, Young, Franco Girolami etc.) can make it back to the grid in the future

Except for the long safety car period I liked race 2.

With only one Honda and no Cupra's the World Tour field is bit thin.
Besides less entries the level of TCR Europe is lower compared to other years.

[antnee]

Just watched a bit of the first race - am I right in saying TCR weren't the 'headline' series for the racing that weekend, hence not having use of the garages? Also was there no crowd in attendance?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by antnee

Just watched a bit of the first race - am I right in saying TCR weren't the 'headline' series for the racing that weekend, hence not having use of the garages? Also was there no crowd in attendance?

Correct, it was a GT Open event

[GusGasfuss]

I hope for more entries in the next round.


Of course, there should be at least 1 Cupra...car is same level as the RS3.


Its also sad, that we don't see the Megane there...its a proper (and winning racecar) and also looks very good.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by antnee

Just watched a bit of the first race - am I right in saying TCR weren't the 'headline' series for the racing that weekend, hence not having use of the garages? Also was there no crowd in attendance?

that circuit gets hardly any crowds for anything

[Alessio]

As nice a layout and as good a spectator venue that Portimao is (minus GT cars flying through catch fencing), it's literally in the middle of nowhere in the Algarve. Portugal's answer to Paul Ricard (which has the same problems as below).

There are a bunch of towns to the south within an hour's drive, mostly touristic like Lagos and Albufeira, but it's nearly impossible to get to via public transport so the football mad locals barely care to do the travel anyway. All the other major cities are at least 2-3 hours away.

It can sometimes be a bit misleading watching from home, though. A few thousand could have been there, but the circuit is huge so would have been spread out. WEC hardly pulled anyone in either.

[Andrew Abbott]

Take a look at this 360 degree photo: https://goo.gl/maps/BtaJ3VpNBrX1ansR6

The circuit is huge and there's lots of vantage points around the edges. Why watch on the start straight when you can see from the (many) corner stands or vantage points? Was probably still a small crowd, though.

But the above photo also goes to show just how remote the circuit is. Would be a great place to go if you like hiking / mountain biking and to watch a bit of racing, I guess...