Many changes in for the 2016 China Touring Car Championship season

The China Touring Car Championship will introduce a raft of changes in its sporting regulations for the 2016 season, with international drivers permitted to take part for the first time, introducing two-race format as well and renaming its two main classes.

The calendar has also been formally revealed, which will start at the Guangdong International Circuit in May, and ending at the Yancheng Street Circuit in October.

The first main change is to split the races into two separate 35km (or 20 minute) races, as opposed to the single event from previous years.

The first race’s grid will be determined by the results of qualifying, while the second race’s top eight is set to be the first race’s result reversed, while ninth on could be determined by a fan vote under current proposals.

The Super Production and Super Production Cup classes from last year will remain, now renamed the Super Cup 1.6T and Super Cup 2.0T classes respectively.

The Super Cup 2.0T class, which was contested hotly by Shanghai VW 333 Racing and Teamwork Motorsport last year, will also open up to allow non-Chinese drivers for the first time, though the restriction remains for the 1.6T class, which featured Dongfeng Honda, Kia Racing and Changan Ford FRD last season.

The eighth round of the CTCC will also run in support of the World Touring Car Championship

2016 China Touring Car Championship calendar

Date – Event
May 8th – Guangdong International Circuit, China or
May 15th – Wuhan Street Circuit, China *
Jun 5th – Zhuhai International Circuit, China
Jun 19th – Shanghai International Circuit, China
Jul 10th – Korean International Circuit, South Korea
Aug 28th – Guangdong International Circuit, China
Sept 11th – Shanghai Tianma Circuit, China *
Sept 27th – Shanghai International Circuit, China (supporting WTCC)
Oct 23rd or 30th – Yancheng Street Circuit, China *