TCR World Tour
The TCR World Tour, officially known as the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, is an international touring car racing series sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and organized by WSC Group, featuring TCR-specification production-based race cars from various manufacturers.[1][2] Launched in 2023 by WSC Group to serve as the highest level of global TCR competition, it succeeded the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup and integrates rounds from national and regional TCR series, allowing privateer teams and professional drivers to compete on iconic circuits worldwide.[3][4] The series emphasizes accessibility and parity among cars, with TCR regulations ensuring standardized performance through a Balance of Performance system, while promoting the TCR ecosystem that spans over 40 national and regional championships.[1] In its 2025 season, the second under full FIA oversight since elevation from WSC sanctioning in 2024, the tour comprises eight events across diverse locations, from Mexico City to Macau, culminating in a global showdown that awards the TCR World Tour title based on cumulative points from sprint and main races.[1][5] This format fosters intense rivalries among top drivers like Yann Ehrlacher and teams such as Lynk & Co Cyan Racing, highlighting the series' role in elevating touring car racing through manufacturer diversity—including Hyundai, Audi, and Honda—and its commitment to sustainable, high-stakes motorsport.[6][3]Background
History
The TCR (Touring Car Racing) concept originated in 2014 when Marcello Lotti, former promoter of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, developed a standardized technical regulation for production-based touring cars aimed at reducing costs and increasing accessibility for manufacturers, teams, and drivers. This framework quickly led to the proliferation of national and regional TCR series worldwide, with dozens of such championships established by 2022, fostering a global ecosystem of TCR competition.[7][8][9] The TCR World Tour emerged as a direct response to the termination of the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) after its 2022 season, which was plagued by COVID-19-related logistical disruptions, multiple event cancellations including the Russian and German rounds, persistent tyre safety failures at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and waning manufacturer commitment exemplified by Lynk & Co's mid-season withdrawal. On October 14, 2022, Lotti's company, WSC Group—the global rights holder for TCR—announced the launch of the TCR World Tour as an innovative, non-traditional global series to revive international touring car racing at the highest level.[10][11][12] The inaugural 2023 season comprised nine double-header events carefully selected from existing TCR regional and national calendars, prioritizing premier circuits across four continents—Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania—to integrate seamlessly with local series while building a cohesive world tour narrative. Pre-launch efforts faced significant hurdles, including negotiating FIA endorsement, which was initially absent and left the series without official world championship status for its debut year—the first such gap in touring car racing since 2000—and coordinating logistics to embed world tour rounds into diverse regional schedules without disrupting grassroots participation.[13][14][15] Through 2023 and 2024, the series evolved by securing FIA international competition recognition in December 2023, elevating its prestige and enabling broader appeal; the 2024 calendar was initially set for nine events across six continents, including new stops in Africa (Morocco) and North America (Mid-Ohio), but was reduced to seven events across five continents after cancelling the planned Australian rounds, demonstrating growing stability and manufacturer engagement.[16][15]Objectives and Governance
The primary objectives of the TCR World Tour are to establish a cost-effective global touring car racing platform that unifies professional full-season entries with participants from regional and national TCR series, thereby promoting manufacturer involvement through standardized production-based vehicles and fostering driver development across skill levels.[1][12][17] Governance of the series is led by the WSC Group as the promoter and rights holder of the TCR trademark, in close partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which oversees the application of international regulations and homologation standards.[18][19] This collaboration elevated the TCR World Tour to official FIA international championship status starting in 2024, following an agreement between the two organizations to standardize and elevate the series' global framework.[15][20] Kumho Tire serves as the title sponsor since the series' inception in 2023 under a three-year agreement with the WSC Group, supplying standardized tires to all competitors and enhancing accessibility by reducing equipment costs for teams and drivers.[21][1] The series integrates with regional TCR championships—such as TCR Europe, TCR Asia, and TCR South America—by selecting events from these sanctioned series to form the annual calendar, allowing eligible cars, teams, and drivers from those platforms to compete without standalone TCR World Tour-specific races, thus creating a cohesive "world tour" ecosystem.[12][1] Organizers advanced sustainability initiatives in the 2025 season, including the adoption of 50% renewable sustainable fuel across all eight events in partnership with ETS Racing Fuels, while pursuing global expansion through new venues like Mexico and South Korea to broaden the series' international footprint.[22][23][24]Format and Regulations
Championship Structure
The TCR World Tour operates as a global touring car championship comprising typically 8 to 10 rounds per season, with the exact number varying annually based on the host national series and FIA approval.[2] Each round is hosted by an established national or regional TCR series, such as TCR Europe or TCR Asia, allowing full-season international teams to compete alongside local entries on familiar circuits.[25] Up to 16 full-season entries are permitted, selected through an application process with a €65,000 entry fee per car, submitted between late February and mid-March, ensuring a competitive field of professional drivers holding FIA Grade ITD-C licenses.[2] Full-season TCR World Tour entries are ineligible to score points in the local series, while local entries can score points toward the world championship standings.[25] Race weekends follow a standardized yet adaptable format to accommodate host series' logistics, generally featuring two 30-minute free practice sessions followed by a qualifying session split into Q1 (20 minutes) and Q2 (10 minutes for the top 12 drivers).[26] The qualifying results determine the grid for Race 1, with points awarded to the top six finishers: 15 for first, 10 for second, 8 for third, 6 for fourth, 4 for fifth, and 2 for sixth.[26] Race 1 duration varies by format (25 or 30 minutes plus one lap, minimum 60 km), scored for the top 15 finishers on a descending scale of 30-25-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 points, with an additional point for the fastest lap; the Race 2 grid inverts the top 10 from Race 1, using the same scoring system.[26] Some events employ a three-race format, with the third race grid set by cumulative points from qualifying and the first two races, or longer races that meet the 60 km minimum and may require strategic pit stops, but the core sprint-oriented structure emphasizes close racing without mandatory stops unless specified by the host.[27] The championship awards separate titles for drivers and teams among full-season participants only, calculated across all rounds with drivers accumulating points from their best results and teams from the aggregated scores of their top two eligible drivers per event.[26] To qualify for full-season status and maintain eligibility, entrants must commit to minimum participation in at least six rounds and attend promoter-mandated activities, such as media sessions, while adhering to FIA safety and conduct standards.[2] This framework, governed by the FIA under WSC Group promotion, fosters international competition while integrating with regional TCR ecosystems.[2]Technical Specifications
The TCR World Tour mandates strict homologation standards to ensure competitive parity among vehicles, requiring all cars to be front-wheel-drive models derived from mass-produced 4- or 5-door production vehicles with a minimum overall length of 4.2 meters and at least 5,000 units manufactured within any 12-month period by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).[18] Engines must be mono-turbocharged, 4-stroke petrol units displacing between 1,750 and 2,000 cm³, with no hybrid systems permitted, delivering indicative performance of approximately 340 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque to maintain balanced racing dynamics.[18][28] Weight and balance requirements are central to the regulations, establishing a target racing weight of 1,265 kg for cars equipped with a sequential racing gearbox or 1,230 kg for those using a mass-production gearbox, both figures excluding the driver but forming the basis for the minimum racing weight including the driver, which typically reaches around 1,300 kg when accounting for the average driver mass.[18][28] A minimum front axle load of 59% is enforced to promote a near-60/40 front-to-rear weight distribution, enhancing handling predictability across diverse models, with ballast systems using metallic weights fixed and sealed by technical delegates to fine-tune compliance without exceeding homologated limits.[18] Aerodynamic and chassis modifications are limited to promote cost control and safety while allowing essential performance enhancements; permitted elements include a compulsory fixed rear wing made of aluminum or composite materials (maximum width 1,380 mm), a World Sporting Consulting (WSC)-supplied front splitter, and wheel arch adjustments for tire clearance, with the chassis width capped at 1,950 mm.[18] A sequential six-speed racing gearbox is permitted, but active aerodynamics, traction control, or anti-lock braking systems are prohibited to ensure driver skill determines outcomes rather than electronic aids.[18] Safety features align with FIA Appendix J standards for Group A touring cars, incorporating a mandatory roll cage, fire suppression system homologated to FIA standards (mandatory for cars from 2020), six-point safety harnesses per FIA 8853-2016, and the Head and Neck Support (HANS) device required for all drivers in FIA-sanctioned events.[18] Updates for the 2023-2025 period include the introduction of EVO certifications for performance evolution without full re-homologation.[18] The homologation process is overseen by the FIA through WSC, involving submission of a TCR Technical Form detailing the base production model, with certification valid for up to seven years after production ceases and a maximum selling price cap of €150,000 per car to support accessibility; periodic technical bulletins issue balance-of-performance adjustments to sustain competitiveness.[18] As of 2025, approved models encompass a range of Gen I and updated variants, such as the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, Lynk & Co 03 TCR, Audi RS 3 LMS TCR, Honda Civic Type R TCR, and Cupra León TCR, with the full certified list maintained and updated via the TCR web area.[18][29]Participants
Manufacturers and Cars
The TCR World Tour features a diverse lineup of manufacturers producing homologated TCR cars, all adhering to standardized technical regulations that promote parity through balance of performance measures, such as adjustable power outputs and weights, to ensure competitive racing. These vehicles are front-wheel-drive touring cars with approximately 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines limited to 350 horsepower, sequential gearboxes, and aerodynamics optimized for close-quarters battles. Since the series' inception in 2023, manufacturer participation has grown, reaching a record six brands in 2025, reflecting increased global interest and factory-backed commitments.[30] Hyundai entered the TCR World Tour with the Elantra N TCR in 2023, providing full-season factory support to teams like BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse through development partnerships that emphasize reliability and performance tuning. The model, homologated in 2021, features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 350 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed sequential Xtrac gearbox. It has achieved significant success, including the 2023 drivers' championship for Norbert Michelisz and the 2024 drivers' title for Norbert Michelisz, alongside multiple team and regional titles globally.[31][28][32][33] Lynk & Co, in collaboration with Cyan Racing, committed to the series from its 2023 launch with the 03 TCR, offering factory engineering support for full-season entries focused on endurance and handling refinements. Homologated in 2018 with updates in 2023, the car uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivering 340 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque, integrated with a six-speed sequential transmission. The model secured the 2024 teams' championship and drivers' vice-championship for Thed Björk, contributing to seven world titles across TCR series in six years.[34][35][36] Audi has maintained a presence in the TCR World Tour since 2023 via customer teams running the RS 3 LMS TCR, with factory assistance from Audi Sport customer racing for parts and setup optimization. Introduced to TCR in 2016 and updated in 2021, it employs a 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged engine rated at 350 horsepower, connected to a six-speed sequential S tronic or sequential gearbox option. The car has earned four TCR Model of the Year awards (2018, 2021-2023) and over 650 race victories worldwide, though specific World Tour titles remain team-dependent.[37][38][39] Honda joined the TCR World Tour in 2023 with the Civic Type R TCR (FL5 variant), supported by JAS Motorsport for full-season team development, including aerodynamic and engine mapping enhancements. The FL5 model, homologated in 2023 following the original's 2018 debut, features a 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine producing 340 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, with a six-speed sequential Hewland gearbox. It has amassed over 500 global race wins and three TCR Model of the Year honors (2019, 2020, 2024), bolstering Honda's TCR legacy with consistent podiums in the World Tour.[40][41][42] CUPRA entered the TCR World Tour in 2023 with the Leon Competición TCR (updated to VZ specification in 2024), providing factory support to select teams for season-long campaigns emphasizing chassis balance and tire management. Homologated in 2018 with ongoing evolutions, the car is powered by a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged engine at 350 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque, utilizing a six-speed DSG or sequential transmission. It contributed to multiple 2024 championships in TCR Europe and Mexico, plus race wins in the 2025 World Tour, including a triple victory across series in June 2025.[43][44][45] Peugeot expanded its TCR involvement to the World Tour in 2025 with the 308 TCR, running through customer teams with limited factory input on weight balancing and aero kits. Homologated in 2018, the model features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 350 horsepower, mated to a six-speed sequential Xtrac gearbox. While yet to claim a World Tour title, it has supported regional successes and marked Peugeot's return to global touring car prominence after earlier TCR entries.[46][47]| Manufacturer | Model | Homologation Year | Engine/Power | Key Success in TCR World Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai | Elantra N TCR | 2021 | 2.0L turbo I4 / 350 hp | 2023 & 2024 Drivers' Titles |
| Lynk & Co | 03 TCR | 2018 (updated 2023) | 2.0L turbo I4 / 340 hp | 2024 Teams' Title |
| Audi | RS 3 LMS TCR | 2016 (updated 2021) | 2.0L turbo I4 / 350 hp | Multiple race wins |
| Honda | Civic Type R TCR (FL5) | 2023 | 2.0L turbo I4 / 340 hp | Consistent podiums |
| CUPRA | Leon VZ TCR | 2018 (updated 2024) | 2.0L turbo I4 / 350 hp | 2025 race victories |
| Peugeot | 308 TCR | 2018 | 2.0L turbo I4 / 350 hp | 2025 debut entries |
Teams and Drivers
The TCR World Tour features a select group of full-season teams, typically numbering around 10 entries, representing manufacturer-backed operations that compete across the global calendar for drivers' and teams' championships. These teams are selected based on performance in prior TCR regional series and manufacturer commitments, ensuring a competitive field of professional outfits with extensive touring car experience. Prominent 2025 full-season teams include Lynk & Co Cyan Racing, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, HMO Customer Racing (Hyundai), GOAT Racing (Honda), Monlau Motorsport (CUPRA), and ALM Motorsport (Honda).[1] Cyan Racing, based in Uppsala, Sweden, and founded in 1996 as Flash Engineering, stands as one of the series' cornerstone teams, partnering with Lynk & Co since 2019 after prior successes in the WTCC and WTCR, where it secured seven world titles. Entering the TCR World Tour in its inaugural 2023 season, Cyan Racing has dominated the teams' standings, clinching the title in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with consistent podium finishes and strategic depth from a four-car lineup.[34][48][49] BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, an Italian squad established in 2003 and headquartered in Cherasco, has been Hyundai's flagship team in TCR competition since 2018, building on three WTCR drivers' titles prior to the World Tour's launch. The team debuted in the series in 2023 with the Elantra N TCR, achieving immediate success through its core duo and expanding to three cars by 2025, emphasizing reliability and driver development in international events.[31][50] Other prominent full-season participants include HMO Customer Racing, which handles additional Hyundai entries with a focus on technical support from the manufacturer's motorsport division, and GOAT Racing, a newer entrant specializing in Honda machinery since 2024 with JAS Motorsport support. Historically, teams like ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport, a German outfit founded in 2004 in Freilassing, represented Hyundai in earlier TCR efforts through 2022 but transitioned away from full-season World Tour commitments by 2025. Similarly, Comtoyou Racing, based in Anderlues, Belgium, and established in 2007, fielded Audi RS 3 LMS cars as Audi Sport's official partner in the 2023 season before shifting priorities to other GT and rallycross programs.[51][52][53] Key full-season drivers embody the series' blend of established champions and rising talents, selected for their TCR regional podiums and global racing pedigree to form stable lineups. Hungarian Norbert Michelisz, a two-time TCR World Tour champion in 2023 and 2024, anchors BRC Hyundai with his WTCR-winning experience, prioritizing consistent qualifying and race craft. Veteran drivers like Sweden's Thed Björk, Lynk & Co's 2024 vice-champion, bring strategic depth, while emerging figures such as Uruguay's Santiago Urrutia, who joined Cyan Racing full-time in 2025 after TCR South America successes, add aggressive overtaking prowess. Inclusion for global entries requires prior TCR series results and manufacturer approval, ensuring a merit-based field of approximately 20 drivers annually.[54][55] Team-driver pairings evolve seasonally to optimize performance, with Cyan Racing maintaining a stable 2023-2025 core of Yann Ehrlacher and Thed Björk alongside rotating additions like Ma Qing Hua in 2025 for Chinese market synergy. BRC Hyundai retained its title-winning duo of Michelisz and Mikel Azcona from 2023, adding Néstor Girolami in 2025 for enhanced midfield strength after his 2023 event wins. Changes, such as Urrutia's promotion from regional duties to Lynk & Co's full roster, reflect strategic adjustments based on testing data and prior season analytics, fostering long-term manufacturer loyalty.[56][31] Full-season teams often collaborate with regional promoters to support wildcard entries, integrating local drivers from series like TCR Europe or TCR Asia without impacting World Tour standings. These wildcards, limited to event-specific slots, race under separate classification to score in their home championships, enhancing grid diversity—up to 14 additional cars per round—while full teams provide technical guidance and share track data for mutual benefit.[57][58] Notable records underscore team and driver legacies, with Cyan Racing holding the most teams' championships at three since the series' inception, reflecting its engineering edge in multi-car operations. Among drivers, Michelisz leads with the highest win tally, securing five victories across 2023-2025 to establish dominance in Hyundai machinery, excluding full-season aggregates.[59][60]Seasons and Results
Season Overviews
The 2023 Kumho TCR World Tour served as the inaugural season, comprising nine events held across Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia, which highlighted the series' ambition to unite global TCR competitors under a single banner.[61] Logistical challenges arose from extensive international travel and the need to integrate with established regional TCR series, testing teams' adaptability in diverse environments.[61] Standout moments included dramatic wet-weather races, particularly the season finale at the Guia Circuit in Macau, where rain and mechanical issues added to the intensity of the competition.[61] In 2024, the series expanded to nine rounds and gained official FIA recognition as the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, elevating its status within international motorsport.[15] Manufacturer rivalries intensified among entrants like Hyundai, Lynk & Co, and Audi, with multiple one-two finishes underscoring the close battles on track.[62] The return to Australia at Tailem Bend introduced fresh dynamics, blending high-speed ovals with the series' global itinerary and challenging teams with varied circuit demands.[1] The 2025 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour comprised eight events across four continents, including debuts at Mexico's Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and South Korea's Inje Speedium.[24] Highlights included the Valencia triple-header, where intense qualifying sessions and on-track action set a competitive tone. The season concluded at the Macau Guia Circuit on November 16, 2025, with Néstor Girolami winning Race 1, securing the drivers' championship for Yann Ehrlacher of Lynk & Co Cyan Racing through consistent performances, including four wins and multiple podiums.[56][63] Across these seasons, the TCR World Tour has seen steady attendance growth at events, driven by its diverse international appeal and integration with local series.[64] TV coverage has expanded through dedicated platforms like TCR TV and partnerships such as Stan Sport in Australia, broadening accessibility to global audiences.[65] Adaptations to global travel, including optimized logistics for flyaway rounds, have been key to sustaining the series' momentum amid its worldwide scope.[15]Champions and Standings
The TCR World Tour has crowned champions in both the drivers' and teams' categories since its inception in 2023. In the inaugural 2023 season, Hungarian driver Norbert Michelisz secured the drivers' title with 440 points, driving the Hyundai Elantra N TCR for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, marking four race victories and seven podiums throughout the year.[66] The teams' championship was won by Cyan Racing Lynk & Co, accumulating 1,298 points with consistent performances from drivers including Yann Ehrlacher and Thed Björk.[66] Michelisz repeated as drivers' champion in 2024, clinching the title with 323 points after a decisive performance at the Macau finale, again representing BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse.[54] Cyan Racing Lynk & Co defended their teams' crown, securing their second consecutive title through strong results from multiple entries, including vice-champion Thed Björk.[35] In 2025, Yann Ehrlacher of Lynk & Co Cyan Racing won the drivers' championship with 484 points, clinched after the Macau finale with four race wins and 14 podiums across the season.[56][67] Lynk & Co Cyan Racing secured their third consecutive teams' title with 1,052 points, dominating through their multi-car lineup.[56] All-time records in the TCR World Tour, up to the end of the 2025 season, show Thed Björk leading with 10 race wins, followed by Yann Ehrlacher with 9 and Norbert Michelisz with 8.[68] For teams, Cyan Racing Lynk & Co holds the most titles with three (2023, 2024, and 2025).[56]2023 Final Drivers' Standings (Top 10)
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norbert Michelisz | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 440 |
| 2 | Yann Ehrlacher | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 430 |
| 3 | Robert Huff | Comtoyou Racing | 414 |
| 4 | Frederic Vervisch | Comtoyou Racing | 347 |
| 5 | Ma Qing Hua | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 310 |
| 6 | Mikel Azcona | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 280 |
| 7 | Thed Björk | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 270 |
| 8 | Néstor Girolami | Team WRT | 250 |
| 9 | Tom Coronel | Comtoyou Racing | 220 |
| 10 | Mehdi Bennani | Comtoyou Racing | 200 |
2023 Final Teams' Standings (Top 5)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 1,298 |
| 2 | Comtoyou Racing | 1,015 |
| 3 | BRC Racing Team | 815 |
| 4 | Team WRT | 450 |
| 5 | PWR Racing | 300 |
2024 Final Drivers' Standings (Top 10)
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norbert Michelisz | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 323 |
| 2 | Thed Björk | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 312 |
| 3 | Mikel Azcona | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 295 |
| 4 | Esteban Guerrieri | GOAT Racing | 291 |
| 5 | Yann Ehrlacher | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 287 |
| 6 | Néstor Girolami | Team WRT | 238 |
| 7 | Santiago Urrutia | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 217 |
| 8 | Ma Qing Hua | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 210 |
| 9 | Tom Coronel | Comtoyou Racing | 180 |
| 10 | Mehdi Bennani | Comtoyou Racing | 160 |
2024 Final Teams' Standings (Top 5)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyan Racing Lynk & Co | 1,100 |
| 2 | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 850 |
| 3 | GOAT Racing | 600 |
| 4 | Team WRT | 450 |
| 5 | Comtoyou Racing | 400 |
2025 Final Drivers' Standings (Top 5)
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yann Ehrlacher | Lynk & Co Cyan Racing | 484 |
| 2 | Thed Björk | Lynk & Co Cyan Racing | 460 |
| 3 | Esteban Guerrieri | GOAT Racing | 385 |
| 4 | Santiago Urrutia | Lynk & Co Cyan Racing | 334 |
| 5 | Ma Qing Hua | Lynk & Co Cyan Racing | 304 |
2025 Final Teams' Standings (Top 5)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynk & Co Cyan Racing | 1,052 |
| 2 | BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse | 765 |
| 3 | GOAT Racing | 655 |
| 4 | SP Compétition | 374 |
| 5 | HMO Customer Racing | 269 |
Events and Venues
Calendars by Season
The TCR World Tour schedules a series of international events each season, drawing from established regional TCR championships to create a global competition that spans multiple continents. Calendars are structured around 7 to 10 event weekends, with varying numbers of races per venue to accommodate local hosting regulations and logistics. Venue selections prioritize geographic diversity, incorporating emerging markets to expand the series' reach while maintaining high-profile circuits for fan engagement.[24][16]2023 Calendar
The inaugural 2023 season featured 9 events across Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia, totaling 20 rounds hosted primarily by regional TCR series. This structure allowed integration with existing national calendars, such as TCR Europe for the opening rounds and TCR South America for mid-season events in Uruguay and Argentina.[69]| Event | Dates | Circuit | Location | Hosting Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 28-30 April | Autódromo Internacional do Algarve | Portimão, Portugal | TCR Europe |
| 3-4 | 26-28 May | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Stavelot, Belgium | TCR Europe |
| 5-6 | 9-11 June | Autodromo Piero Taruffi Vallelunga | Campagnano di Roma, Italy | TCR Europe |
| 7-8 | 16-18 June | Hungaroring | Mogyoród, Hungary | TCR Europe |
| 9-10 | 18-20 August | Autódromo Víctor Borrat Fabini | El Pinar, Uruguay | TCR South America |
| 11-12 | 25-27 August | Autódromo Internacional José Carlos Bassi | La Pedrera, Villa Mercedes, Argentina | TCR South America |
| 13-15 | 3-5 November | Sydney Motorsport Park | Eastern Creek, Australia | TCR Australia |
| 16-18 | 10-12 November | Mount Panorama Circuit | Bathurst, Australia | TCR Australia |
| 19-20 | 16-19 November | Circuito da Guia | Macau, China | Standalone |
2024 Calendar
The 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour was revised to 7 events due to logistical challenges, including the cancellation of planned Australian rounds caused by shipping delays from Red Sea disruptions; it introduced North America and Africa while retaining strongholds in South America, Asia, and a single European opener. Additions like Mid-Ohio in the USA marked the series' entry into new markets, enhancing global appeal under its newly granted FIA status.[70][71]| Event | Dates | Circuit | Location | Hosting Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 19-21 April | Autodromo Piero Taruffi Vallelunga | Campagnano di Roma, Italy | TCR Europe |
| 3-4 | 3-4 May | Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan | Marrakesh, Morocco | TCR Middle East |
| 5-6 | 7-8 June | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio, USA | IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (TCR class) |
| 7-8 | 20-21 July | Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos) | São Paulo, Brazil | TCR South America |
| 9-10 | 2-4 August | Autódromo Víctor Borrat Fabini | El Pinar, Uruguay | TCR South America |
| 11-12 | 19-20 October | Zhuzhou International Circuit | Zhuzhou, China | TCR China |
| 13-14 | 14-17 November | Circuito da Guia | Macau, China | Standalone |
2025 Calendar
The 2025 season consists of 8 events across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with debuts in Mexico and South Korea to tap into growing TCR markets and achieve balanced regional distribution. Returning venues like Vila Real and The Bend provide continuity, while the finale at Macau caps a schedule emphasizing accessibility and international growth. Three-race formats are used at select events to align with host series requirements.[24][72]| Event | Dates | Circuit | Location | Hosting Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 1-3 May | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | Mexico City, Mexico | TCR Mexico (debut) |
| 4-6 | 13-15 June | Circuit Ricardo Tormo | Valencia, Spain | TCR Europe |
| 7-8 | 20-22 June | Autodromo Nazionale Monza | Monza, Italy | TCR Italy |
| 9-10 | 4-6 July | Circuito Internacional de Vila Real | Vila Real, Portugal | TCR Ibérico |
| 11-12 | 12-14 September | The Bend Motorsport Park | Tailem Bend, Australia | TCR Australia |
| 13-15 | 17-19 October | Inje Speedium | Inje, South Korea | TCR Korea (debut) |
| 16-17 | 1-2 November | Zhuzhou International Circuit | Zhuzhou, China | TCR China |
| 18-20 | 13-16 November | Circuito da Guia | Macau, China | Standalone (finale) |
Circuits and Locations
The TCR World Tour has utilized a diverse array of circuits since its inception in 2023, spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania to promote global accessibility and varied racing challenges. These venues range from historic street circuits to modern purpose-built tracks, with a focus on adapting facilities to the series' TCR regulations for safety and competitiveness. The regional distribution emphasizes European staples for high-speed and technical layouts, such as Monza in Italy, while incorporating Asia-Pacific sites like Tailem Bend in Australia for endurance-oriented racing and American tracks like La Pedrera in Argentina, known for dusty, abrasive conditions that test tire management.[69][74][75] Core circuits have included Vallelunga in Italy, a 4.085 km technical layout featuring significant elevation changes and tight corners that demand precise handling from TCR cars. The Guia Circuit in Macau, a 6.12 km street circuit lined with unforgiving barriers and narrow sections, adds high-risk elements typical of urban racing environments. In Australia, The Bend Motorsport Park near Tailem Bend offers a 3.44 km high-speed modern track with long straights and flowing corners, emphasizing outright pace and overtaking opportunities.[24][76][77] For the 2025 season, new additions expanded the series' footprint, including the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, a 4.304 km Formula 1-standard circuit at high altitude (over 2,200 meters), where thinner air affects engine performance and cooling. The Inje Speedium in South Korea introduces a 3.21 km track with flowing, rhythmical corners that reward car balance and driver commitment. Zhuzhou International Circuit in China, a 3.476 km venue with technical sectors interspersed by long straights, provides opportunities for strategic slipstreaming in TCR machinery.[24][75][77] Circuits are adapted for TCR events through FIA-mandated safety enhancements, such as extended run-off areas, reinforced barriers, and updated gravel traps to mitigate the close racing inherent to touring cars. Typical lap times range from 1:30 to 2:00 minutes depending on track length and configuration, with weather playing a key role—rain at street circuits like Guia can drastically alter grip levels, while hot conditions at desert-adjacent venues like La Pedrera accelerate tire wear.| Circuit | Location | Times Hosted (2023–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão) | Portugal | 1 |
| Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Belgium | 1 |
| Autodromo Vallelunga | Italy | 2 |
| Hungaroring | Hungary | 1 |
| Autódromo Víctor Borrat Fabini (El Pinar) | Uruguay | 2 |
| Autódromo Internacional José Carlos Bassi (La Pedrera) | Argentina | 1 |
| Sydney Motorsport Park | Australia | 1 |
| Mount Panorama Circuit (Bathurst) | Australia | 1 |
| Circuito da Guia (Macau) | Macau | 3 |
| Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan | Morocco | 1 |
| Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | USA | 1 |
| Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos) | Brazil | 1 |
| Zhuzhou International Circuit | China | 2 |
| Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | Mexico | 1 |
| Circuit Ricardo Tormo (Valencia) | Spain | 1 |
| Autodromo Nazionale Monza | Italy | 1 |
| Circuito Internacional de Vila Real | Portugal | 1 |
| The Bend Motorsport Park (Tailem Bend) | Australia | 1 |
| Inje Speedium | South Korea | 1 |