2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship
The 2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship is the sixth season of the TCR UK Touring Car Championship. The championship features production-based touring cars built to TCR specifications and will be held over fifteen races across seven meetings throughout England and Scotland. The championship is operated by Stewart Lines' Maximum Group in partnership with the British Racing and Sports Car Club.
Calendar
[edit]The schedule for 2023 was announced on 10 October 2022 containing 15 races across 7 rounds.[1][2] Snetterton would host the season opener and move onto the 300 circuit. Both Knockhill and Croft would return for the first time since 2018 and 2019 respectively. The championship would makes its first appearance on the traditional clockwise layout at Knockhill. The series would also return to Silverstone's National layout for the first time since the 2020 season. Both Donington Park and Oulton Park would slim down to a single meeting in 2023 while Castle Combe was left off the schedule altogether. It was also announced through social media that a media day would take place at Donington Park on the 29th March.
| Rnd. | Circuit/Location | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Snetterton Circuit (300 Circuit), Norfolk) | 8–9 April |
| 2 | |||
| 2 | 3 | Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire | 6–7 May |
| 4 | |||
| 3 | 5 | Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire | 10 June |
| 6 | |||
| 4 | 7 | Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife | 22–23 July |
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 5 | 10 | Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire | 19–20 August |
| 11 | |||
| 6 | 12 | Donington Park (National), Leicestershire | 9–10 September |
| 13 | |||
| 7 | 14 | Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent | 21–22 October |
| 15 | |||
Changes
[edit]Organisational Changes
[edit]- In October 2022 it was revealed that the championship would be leaving the Time Attack UK package after 2 years to re-join the British Racing and Sports Car Club.[1][3] As part of a multi-year agreement, TCR UK would appear as the headline event at 7 BRSCC race weekends. Furthermore, the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship was announced as an official feeder series to TCR UK and would race at the same events in 2023.[4]
- Former Ginetta Motorsport Manager Ashley Gallagher joined as Championship Manager for both TCR UK and the Milltek Sport Civic Cup.[5][6]
- A total prize fund of £75,000 was announced by the organisers. At each meeting, cash prizes would be awarded to the pole position winner and the top 3 in each race. Moreover, the top 3 in the championship at seasons end would also receive prizes as well as the overall winners of the Goodyear Diamond Trophy and Tom Walker Memorial Trophy.[7][8]
Technical Changes
[edit]- Carless Racing Fuels was introduced as the official control fuel supplier to the series.[9] As part of this collaboration, a TCR Driver of the Day initiative was launched, with the winner receiving a 54 litre keg of control fuel.[7]
Teams and drivers
[edit]
|
|
Driver Changes
[edit]Entering/Re-Entering TCR UK
- Both Gary Townsend and Joe Marshall-Birks will move from the Ginetta GT4 Supercup to join Paul Sheard Racing.[22][23] They will also be joined by Ginetta GT5 Challenge racer Oliver Cottam.[36]
- After an appearance in the previous seasons finale, George Jaxon will join the championship full time, driving a Cupra León Competición TCR for JW Bird Motorsport.[31]
- Jenson Brickley joined the series driving a family run Cupra León Competición TCR.[37][38]
- Lewis Brown moved from the Mini Challenge UK to join Chameleon Motorsport.[33]
- Darron Lewis returned full time, having made a one-off appearance towards the end of the previous season.[39]
- Former Kumho BMW Championship champion Rick Kerry announced a partial season campaign at the wheel of a Cupra León TCR.[35]
- Luke Sargeant joined Area Motorsport for a partial season campaign driving a Hyundai i30 N TCR.[13]
- Former BTCC driver Carl Boardley joined the series driving a Cupra León Competición TCR for Zest Racecar Engineering.[24]
- Dan Kirby returned the series after having last raced in 2021 for Power Maxed Racing, driving a second car for Zest Racecar Engineering.[25]
Changed Teams
- Scott Sumpton moved from Essex & Kent Motorsport to join defending champion Chris Smiley at Restart Racing in a second Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8).[18][19]
- George Jaxon moved from Team HARD. with GO FIX to join JW Bird Motorsport.[31]
- Alex Ley and Daniel James Motorsport joined forces with Area Motorsport.[11]
- Having joined MPHR part way through the previous season, Steve Gales will commit to a full season alongside Brad Hutchinson in his first generation Audi RS 3 LMS TCR.[29]
- Callum Newsham joined newcomers JH Racing and would drive a Hyundai i30 N TCR.[26][27]
- Jac Constable moved from Power Maxed Racing to join Rob Boston Racing.[21]
Team Changes
[edit]- Paul Sheard Racing will switch from running a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR to the latest Gen II Audi RS 3 LMS TCR.[22][23]
- Area Motorsport will enter a Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Jamie Tonks. This would be the first time this model would appear in the UK series.[40] Bruce Winfield will also switch to Hyundai machinery ahead of the 2023 season.[10]
- Chameleon Motorsport expanded and upgraded to the latest generation Cupra León Competición TCR.[33]
- Daniel James Motorsport would collaborate with Area Motorsport and would run Alex Ley under the Area Motorsport with Daniel James banner.[11]
- Restart Racing will enter an all new Honda Civic Type R TCR (FL5) for reigning champion Chris Smiley.[17]
Race calendar and results
[edit]| Round | Circuit | Pole Position | Fastest Lap | Winning Driver | Winning Team | Diamond Trophy Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snetterton Circuit |  Josh Files
|
Josh Files
|
Bruce Winfield
|
Area Motorsport
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Lewis Brown
|
Lewis Brown
|
Chameleon Motorsport
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| 2 | Croft Circuit | Jac Constable
|
Jac Constable
|
Jac Constable
|
Rob Boston Racing
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Jenson Brickley
|
Jenson Brickley
|
Jenson Brickley Racing
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| 3 | Oulton Park Island | Bruce Winfield
|
Bruce Winfield
|
Bruce Winfield
|
Area Motorsport
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Bruce Winfield
|
Carl Boardley
|
CBM with Hart GT
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| 4 | Knockhill Racing Circuit | Carl Boardley
|
Jenson Brickley
|
Carl Boardley
|
CBM with Hart GT
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Jenson Brickley
|
Alex Ley
|
Area Motorsport with Daniel James
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| Joe Marshall-Birks
|
Carl Boardley
|
CBM with Hart GT
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| 5 | Silverstone Circuit National | Adam Shepherd
|
Scott Sumpton
|
Carl Boardley
|
CBM with Hart GT
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Bradley Kent
|
Alex Ley
|
Area Motorsport with Daniel James
|
Andy Wilmot
| |||
| 6 | Donington Park National | Jenson Brickley
|
Jenson Brickley
|
Adam Shepherd
|
Area Motorsport
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Bruce Winfield
|
Alistair Camp
|
Pro Alloys Racing
|
Carl Boardley
| |||
| 7 | Brands Hatch Indy | Jenson Brickley
|
Jenson Brickley
|
Alex Ley
|
Area Motorsport with Daniel James
|
Carl Boardley
|
| Callum Newsham
|
Jac Constable
|
Rob Boston Racing
|
Carl Boardley
|
Championship standings
[edit]Drivers' Standings
[edit]| Points system | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | Fastest Lap | ||||||
| Qualifying | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Race | 40 | 35 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
- Drivers' top 13 results from the 15 races count towards the championship.
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 – Qualifying position
F – Fastest lap | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Cottam is a British-Chinese driver competing under a Chinese license.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "NEW YEAR, NEW INITIATIVES: TCR UK ANNOUNCES 2023 CALENDAR". tcr-uk.co.uk. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "TCR UK issues seven-round provisional 2023 calendar". touringcartimes.com. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "BRSCC & TCR UK Touring Car Championship Agree Multi-Year Deal". BRSCC. BRSCC. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "BRSCC Announces Fiesta Junior Championship As Official TCR UK Junior Support Series". BRSCC. BRSCC. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Ashley Gallagher to Lead TCR UK and Milltek Sport Civic Cup Into New Era". tcr-uk.co.uk. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "TCR UK brings in ex-Ginetta motorsport manager". touringcartimes.com. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ a b "TCR UK introduces £75,000 cash prize fund for 2023". tcr-uk.co.uk. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "TCR UK reveals new £75,000 prize fund". touringcartimes.com. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Carless Racing Fuels & Vital Equipment Join TCR UK as New Control Fuel Partner for 2023". tcr-uk.co.uk. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Bruce Winfield sticks with Hyundai for 2023". TouringCarTimes. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Alex Ley set for first full programme". TouringCarTimes. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "Multiple TCR champion Josh Files joins Snetterton grid". TouringCarTimes. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Luke Sargeant to run partial campaign with Area Motorsport". TouringCarTimes. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "2023 TCR UK TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - CROFT - ENTRY LIST" (PDF). tcr-uk.co.uk. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Chris Smiley to defend title in 2023". touringcartimes.com. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ a b "The Champion is Back! Smiley Returns for TCR UK Title Defence in 2023". tcr-uk.co.uk. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Restart Racing to debut new FL5 Honda in 2023". TouringCarTimes. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Scott Sumpton joins expanded Restart line-up". touringcartimes.com. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Sumpton Switches to Honda for Second Season in TCR UK". tcr-uk.co.uk. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Bradley Kent makes Veloster switch". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Rob Boston Racing launches TCR programme with Jac Constable". TouringCarTimes. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Paul Sheard Racing confirms Audi programme". TouringCarTimes. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Paul Sheard Racing Bring Gen II Audi to the 2023 TCR UK Season". tcr-uk.co.uk. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Carl Boardley makes TCR UK switch with Zest Racecar Engineering". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Dan Kirby to make TCR UK return in Cupra". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ a b c "Callum Newsham makes Hyundai switch with newcomers JH Racing". TouringCarTimes. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Callum Newsham set for 2023 return in JH Racing Hyundai". tcr-uk.co.uk. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Brad Hutchison returns for second season". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Steve Gales sticks with MPHR". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Darelle Wilson returns with his Vauxhall Astra for 2023 TCR UK season". touringcartrophy.co.uk. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d "George Jaxon confirms full-season programme with JW Bird". TouringCarTimes. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Matthew Wilson continues with JW Bird". TouringCarTimes. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Lewis Brown joins Neil Trotter in Chameleon line-up". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Pro Alloys Racing to run TCR UK programme". TouringCarTimes. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ a b c "Rick Kerry to run ex-Tonks Cupra in TCR UK debut". TouringCarTimes. TouringCarTimes. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Paul Sheard Racing adds third Audi for 2023". TouringCarTimes. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Privateer Cupra programme bolsters 2023 entry". TouringCarTimes. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jenson Brickley steps up to TCR UK for 2023". tcr-uk.co.uk. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Darron Lewis to make full-time TCR UK return in 2023". tcr-uk.co.uk. TCR UK. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Jamie Tonks to give Hyundai Elantra UK debut". TouringCarTimes. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.