TCR UK AMENDS RACE WEEKEND FORMAT FOR 2019

TCR UK has announced that the 2019 season will see changes to both Qualifying and Race formats. The changes are aimed at bringing the championship into line with other TCR series around the world.

Instead of the single half-hour session used in 2018, Qualifying will now consist of two sessions – Q1 (twenty minutes) and Q2 (ten minutes), separated by a five-minute break – which will decide the grids for both races. The Race 1 grid will continue to be formed from the combined Qualifying result, but Race 2 will be decided by the ‘reversed grid’ system used in the majority of TCR series.

The duration of both races will be reduced from thirty minutes to twenty-three minutes plus one lap – the same as the TCR Europe series. In addition, there will be two thirty-minute Free Practice sessions, although the timetables at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone may differ slightly.

David Sonenscher, the COO of TCR UK, commented: “The changes we’re announcing today will mean TCR UK will run to the same format as other TCR championships and series. Reducing the race durations should ensure closer and more exciting racing for the drivers and fans to enjoy while the changes to Qualifying are aimed at simplifying the system.

“We’ll be making further announcements in the coming days about other changes to the championship in readiness for the 2019 season.”