TCR Middle East gets relaunched for 2022/23 winter season
The TCR Middle East has been relaunched for the 2022/23 season following an agreement between TCR rights holders WSC and series promoter Driving Force Events.
“We believe TCR is an ideal entry platform to further develop motorsport in the Gulf region and we are proud to accept the challenge to launch the TCR Middle East Series via this new, innovative format,” said Andrea Ficarelli, head of Driving Force Events.
“This new international series will complement the existing Gulf ProCar Championship, whose races take place in the United Arab Emirates and group different types of cars together with TCR cars.
“Now we are totally focused on working with teams and drivers to tailor make the inaugural season around their needs, delivering a profitable business model for all stakeholders. We invite all TCR teams and drivers to get in touch with us, not only to receive more information, but also to share their opinions and suggestions to help us deliver a successful TCR Middle East Series for 2022-2023 and beyond.”
The series will feature eight races over two pair of back-to-back weekends from December 2022 to February 2023.
The races will be around one hour and feature mandatory pit stops, with one or two drivers per car allowed.
The season will start at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on December 9-10, followed by Dubai Autodrome the weekend after.
Barhain International Circuit will host the penultimate round on January 27-28 while the season finale venue on February 3-4 is yet to be confirmed.
“We are delighted at Driving Force Events’ plan to revive the TCR Middle East Series,” said Marcello Lotti, head of WSC.
“We have always been confident that TCR would eventually establish itself in the Middle East region, especially when its winter schedule allows teams and drivers from Europe to race off season. We also believe that the one-hour race format and the night races will make the package even more attractive and we wish Driving Force Events to be successful.”
The first season of TCR Middle East was held in 2017, then promoted by Creventic, and ran until 2019, with the 2020 season being cancelled shortly before its start due to low interest.
2022/23 TCR Middle East calendar
09-10/12 – Yas Marina Circuit – Races 1 & 2 (night)
17-18/12 – Dubai Autodrome – Races 3 & 4
27-28/01 – Bahrain International Circuit – Races 5 (night) & 6
03-04/02 – TBC – Races 7 (night & 8)
