TCR Thailand taking shape for 2016, with Honda and SEAT confirmed entries

The inaugural TCR Thailand series is getting ready to launch in 2016, which will run for five events, four shared with the Thailand Super Series, and one with the TCR International Series when it visits the Chang International Circuit in Buriram at the end of August.

TCR Thailand will therefore race at Buriram three times in 2016, with the season opener taking place there on May 8th-10th, while it will also race at the Bira International Circuit in September, with the season finale at the Bangsaen Street Circuit at the end of November, a week after the TCR International Series’ finale in Macau.

Racing Spirit Co. Ltd is the promoter of the TCR Thailand series, and will also sell and support the Honda Civic TCR and SEAT León Cup Racer on behalf of JAS Motorsport and SEAT Sport to the teams which will compete in the championship.

Nattachak Hanjitkasem has confirmed he will race a Honda Civic in the series, and recently joined JAS Motorsport at a test in Italy at Circuito Tazio Nuvolari to evaluate the Civic TCR ahead of its delivery to Thailand.

“On the day that I went to test the car the track was quite wet so I couldn’t drive at full speed,” he said. “The handling is very sharp, I can feel more response from the steering wheel and when the car is oversteering I can feel it straight away and I’m able to control the car. Everything is smooth such as the gearbox and engine. The noise of the car is quieter compared with Civic FD. Overall I think JAS has built this car very well and everything works smoothly and links to each other. It [allows] me to feel more of the car and feel more confident that nothing will break.”

Krating Daeng Racing Team, which compete under the Red Bull Thailand Racing banner, have confirmed they will run three SEAT León Cup Racers in the series, which will be predominantly populated by the already mass produced and proven Spanish hatchback during its first season.