TCL - Touring Car Lite

[Rubio]

FIA has launched new category, Touring Car Lite, which can be a good step before entering into TCR:

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019...-introduction/

[Evantra]

Should be good if it happens, though we've had the same thing before with the very similar TC Light.

[pimmy]

TC Light was proposed by the organisers of the old ADAC Procar series, which wasn't exactly a well-supported championship itself. TC Lite has a much better chance of getting off the ground since it's an FIA category and it shares some elements with existing rally regulations. I hope it succeeds as it's a bit boring at the moment with the majority of lower-level saloon car racing being single make.

[Umai Naa]

I'm not sure what the point is.

[antnee]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

I'm not sure what the point is.

It gives circuit racing a more defined ladder for drivers to move up. It is quite successful in rallying.

I think that manufacturers will be able to copy Renault's concept of a rally car and circuit car which are very closely matched but adapted to suit the environments. Normally the cars are pretty decent too, so they hold their value well and can be used in many championships.

[Umai Naa]

TCR already has a ladder.

One-make series > national TCR > regional TCR > WTCR.

Some drivers and teams even mix in some GT racing too.

[Sodemo]

I'd prefer it personally if WTCR used an upgrade of sorts over the regular TCR cars. Something which could be easily removeable if the cars wanted to return to a lower spec form. For example have 400bhp, a slightly lower weight limit and perhaps slightly more aero or a flat floor etc.

[Umai Naa]

Yeah, I don't mind that approach.

They can do their own BOP, and not influence every other TCR championship.

[antnee]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

TCR already has a ladder.

One-make series > national TCR > regional TCR > WTCR.

Some drivers and teams even mix in some GT racing too.

You have missed the point here - TCL is to add some structure to the various one-make series that happen across the world. Those series all have different rule sets and often aren't comparable. TCL would have a homologated set of cars, which are then able to race in many championships across the world (just like TCR), but are vastly reduced costs compared to TCR. This allows drivers to build up their experience before hitting the 'big leagues'. No different to F4/F3/F2/F1, etc.

I think the ultimate goal would be that national TCR series have TCL series as as support races. Which could run to the same race format and would give a good business model for TCR teams to have a 'junior' section that runs the TCL cars. Prizes for winning a TCL championship could be some level of funding in a TCR seat

[Go_For_Pole]

Not only that, for some countries TCRs are simply too expensive