TCR Russia kicks off at Smolensk Ring

After several postponements forced by the COVID-19 emergency, the TCR Russia series will get underway this weekend at Smolensk Ring.
In order to reduce the running costs for the teams, track activities have been limited to two days only: Qualifying on Saturday and the two races on Sunday.
Nineteen cars will compete in the opening event, with the field led by the reigning champion Dmitry Bragin (TAIF Motorsport, Hyundai i30 N) who aims for conquering the title for the fifth consecutive year.
His main competitors are due to be the three LUKOIL Racing drivers - Ivan Lukashevich and Andrej Maslennikov (both in Hyundai i30 N cars) and Alexsey Dudukalo (Audi RS 3 LMS) - but also the pair of LADA Vesta Sport cars run by LADA Sport Rosneft for Kiril Ladygin and Mikhail Mityaev.
Another serious contender is Klim Gavrilov, the winner of the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games, who has swapped his Audi for a Hyundai.
Amongst the newcomers, is the reigning Russian Autocross champion Ilya Yekushevski at the wheel lof an Audi.

Both races will be streamed live on Sunday at www.tcr-series.com and www.tcr-series.tv: Race 1 (11:50 local time / 10:50 CEST); Race 2 (16:55 local time / 15:55 CEST).

Pictures: TCR Russia / Grigoryi Golyshev