Josh Files, Attila Tassi join TCR Europe grid with JAS roles
Josh Files and Attila Tassi are to race in the TCR Europe Series this season at the wheel of new Honda Civic Type R FK8 TCRs after being named as official test drivers by JAS Motorsport.
The pair will work alongside JAS on development of the new car, whilst their programmes will also include entries into the new seven-round Europe Series – which replaces the standalone event that was head at Adria last year.
The TCR Europe programme will see Files and Tassi running with a customer team that has yet to be announced.
Both drivers have enjoyed success with Honda in the past, with Files using an FK2 Civic to secure back-to-back titles in TCR Germany as well as the 2017 TCR Middle East crown.
The Briton has also been heavily involved in testing of the new FK8 car during the winter.
“It feels great to know I’ll be racing in TCR Europe this year with a Honda Civic TCR that I’m already familiar with after quite a bit of testing during the winter,” he said. “After winning the German and Middle-East TCR crowns in JAS Hondas, TCR Europe is a logical next step for me and I know what it takes to win at this level.
“While my team is undecided for the moment, I’m sure I’ll have the machinery and the support necessary to be a major title contender.”
Tassi meanwhile took two wins last season in the TCR International Series and finished as runner-up to Jean-Karl Vernay in the standings in what was only his second season of top level competition.
“I’m very happy to confirm my participation in TCR Europe,” he said. “Outside of WTCR, this is the highest-level championship for TCR cars and the competition will be fierce, but I feel that the testing I’ve done with JAS Motorsport over the winter will be of huge benefit.
“I’m not sure which team I will race for in TCR Europe but, having finished second in TCR International last year as part of a JAS customer team, I’m confident everything will be in place to challenge for the title.”
Mads Fischer, JAS Motorsport TCR project leader, said it was expected that the race programmes for both drivers would be revealed ‘soon’ and was quick to welcome the pair onboard.
“We are very pleased to appoint Josh Files and Attila Tassi to official test roles within our TCR programme,” he said. “Both are fantastic drivers; Josh taking championships in two years in JAS Hondas, and Attila, at just 18, beating some of the world’s best drivers in the discipline.
“Each has been invaluable during testing of the new Honda Civic TCR and I’m sure both will be extremely successful in TCR Europe. Both drivers should soon be able to announce their race programmes.”
