The fifth season of the TCR Asia Series will see the popular regional series contest events on some of the regions leading circuits, whilst also working with the national Series’ in Korea, China and Thailand across five events for 2019.
For the fifth consecutive year, the season will begin at the home of WSC Asia Ltd – Malaysia, with a pre-season test ahead of the opening two rounds of the championship.
Teams should be well prepared for the season opener after an ‘off-season’ with TCR Malaysia on the former Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, ahead of a championship year that will take them back to South Korea, then China and conclude at the popular Bangsaen Grand Prix street circuit in Thailand.
“2019 was very much about consistency,” WSC Asia Limited’s David Sonenscher explained. “Working alongside the national championships in Korea, China and Thailand has worked well in past seasons, and with China coming more into line with the original TCR format, everything will be a lot more seamless.
“The big change for TCR Asia in season 2019 will be visibility, especially within China where a strong fan base for touring cars is starting to build off the back of three seasons now concluded in the world’s largest automotive market.
“With strong interest in the new TCR Malaysia Series project, we expect good fields, and with our calendar finishing relatively early it works in well for the national Series allowing teams to gain even more value out of their investments.
“2018 also saw the opportunity for teams to compete in the SIC888 endurance event at Shanghai International Circuit, with a number of teams also contesting the almost seven-hour event, an opportunity which will come again for TCR Asia teams in mid-October after our season is concluded.”
Titles in 2019 will be on offer to the overall champions in the Drivers and Teams championships, whilst the TCR Asia Cup will be contested once again by the leading amateur drivers. The TCR Asia Trophy will also be offered for the DSG cars, giving those teams something to battle for across the season.
2019 TCR Asia Series – calendar
TEST DAYS, 3-4 April – Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
Rnd#1/2, 5-7 April – Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
Rnd#3/4, 3-5 May – Korea International Circuit, South Korea
Rnd#5/6, 31 May-2 June – Shanghai International Circuit, China
Rnd#7/8, 5-7 July – Zhejiang International Circuit, China
Rnd#9/10, 30 August-1 September, Bangsaen Grand Prix, Thailand
