WSC and MotorSport NZ bring TCR to New Zealand

WSC Ltd and MotorSport New Zealand have reached an agreement to introduce a national TCR series in New Zealand in 2020.

MotorSport NZ President Wayne Christie said: “This is an exciting development for top-level saloon car racing in New Zealand as the series will provide our up-and-coming drivers with a direct pathway into internationally recognised competitions around the world. To have a variety of different marques contesting a top-level domestic championship is also good for the sport, good for competitors and good for sponsors.”

With the growth and popularity of TCR globally, MotorSport NZ has received a strong number of inquiries from local competitors as to whether this category has a place in local motor sports.
“We believe TCR has a valid and worthwhile role to play in New Zealand motor racing, offering an international parity-based formula. Competitors would have the ability to on-sell cars locally or internationally relatively easily. From a cost perspective is a relatively affordable race car for top-tier racing and there’s certainly been sufficient interest that we moved to secure the TCR agreement for New Zealand,” Christie added.

WSC President Marcello Lotti commented: “We are delighted to add the wonderful ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ to the ever growing list of countries all over the world that have embraced the TCR concept. New Zeland has a great motorsport tradition, and gave birth to some of the strongest racing drivers ever, such as F1 super stars Bruce McLaren and Dennis Hulme. And, speaking of Touring Cars, we can’t forget Paul Radisich, the winner of two FIA Super Touring World Cups. With these premises, we don’t have the lesser doubt that the TCR New Zealand championship will be successful!” 

MotorSport NZ is now in the process of seeking expressions of interest from those who wish to fulfil the role as the category manager of the series to look after promotion and organisation, working alongside MotorSport NZ which provides the technical and regulatory components of the series.