Ildar Rakhmatullin to replace Igor Skuz in Sochi

Russian driver Ildar Rakhmatullin will replace Igor Skuz at WestCoast Racing for the event in Sochi, Russia.

A regular driver in the Russian Circuit Racing Series, in which he took pole position earlier today in the Touring Light class, Rakhmatullin will also get a taste of the TCR International Series following an agreement between RCRS promoter SMP Racing and the TCR International Series.

“I’m very thankful for the possibility to join the TCR International Series in the Russian event,” said the Russian. “This is a very attractive championship, featuring equal cars and fast drivers and I’m looking forward to driving the Honda Civic. I’m aware that it will be difficult to achieve great results with such a short practice time, so my goal is to get used to the car and enjoy the racing.”

Marcello Lotti commented: “I wish to thank Oleg Petrikov and SMP Racing for enthusiastically supporting this action aimed for offering a driver of the Russian Circuit Racing Series the opportunity to experience the competition in the TCR International Series. This is a further evidence of SMP Racing’s trust in the TCR concept that has already been integrated in the national championship.”

SMP Racing’s Oleg Petrikov added: “The aim of the agreement between SMP Racing and TCR International Series is supporting the TCR concept in Russia and this joint event is a major step in our collaboration. We are happy that Rakhmatullin represents the RCRS and SMP Racing at the wheel of TCR car. I wish him good luck this weekend and hope that next year there will be more Russian drivers in the TCR International Series.”

With Craft-Bamboo Lukoil Racing’s Aleksei Dudukalo and Sergey Afanasyev and Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s Mikhail Grachev already confirmed for the event, the amount of Russian drivers in Sochi raises to four. Igor Skuz will be back with WestCoast Racing for the remainder of the season.