TOPEKA, Kan (Jun. 17, 2009) -SCCA Pro Racing and WC Vision announced today the introduction of Touring Car 2 (TC2), which will run as a separate class within SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car races.
Cars like the Mazda RX-8 will be eligible for the new Touring 2 class (Weber photo).
Introduced to provide a more
cost-effective point of entry into the series, TC2 vehicles will have fewer
modifications than the existing Touring Cars, including tight limitations on
engine and drivetrain modifications and the prohibition of non-factory
aerodynamic devices such as wings and splitters.
"We recognize that not
everyone is in the position to develop a car to the same level as our
front-running World Challenge Touring Car teams,” SCCA Pro Racing President
& CEO Bob Wildberger said. “The
rules set being developed will include a number of cars that can race with
World Challenge as soon as Round Five at Watkins Glen next month.”
“There are many cars out
there that don't have a televised, yet cost-effective, professional series to
compete in—that"s where Touring Car 2 comes in,” WC Vision Co-Chairman Bob
Woodhouse said. “Whether they race with a Club, another series or previously
ran in World Challenge, we feel that the TC2 concept will provide the most
value in road racing today for those teams wanting to take a step up. World
Challenge Touring Car will give them nationally-televised exposure at the best
tracks and the largest crowds available.”
World Challenge Touring Car 2
will retain the same basic premise of Touring Car; a class designed for
four-seat automobiles. The overall power-to-weight ratio of the class will be
lower than the current World Challenge Touring Car series and, while the cars
are expected to have outstanding handling with aftermarket racing shocks, sway
bars and springs, they will lack the overall aerodynamic grip created by the
devices permitted in Touring Car.
Eligible cars include, but
are not limited to, the Acura RSX, BMW 328 and 330 (E36, 46), Chevrolet Cobalt
SS, Dodge SRT-4, Honda Civic Si, Lexus IS, Mazda RX-8, MINI Cooper S, Saturn
Ion, Scion tC, Subaru Legacy and Volkswagen GTI and Jetta.
Entry fees for the series
will be half of a normal Touring Car entry fee although no prize money will be
distributed. TC2 cars will carry a different color numberboard and windshield
banner in order to be distinguished from Touring Car on the track.
Additional information will
be available on the World Challenge Web site at www.world-challenge.com and interested
teams are encouraged to contact SCCA Pro Racing’s Competition Department at
785-357-7223.
The SCCA Pro Racing SPEED
World Challenge Championships next travel to Watkins Glen International for the
Toyo Tires Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Lala Motorsports, part of the
IndyCar Series Camping World Grand Prix Weekend July 3-5.
