CREVENTIC launches Touring Car Endurance Series (TCES) powered by Hankook
Dutch agency CREVENTIC, the driving force behind the success of the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, is coming up with a new initiative. An application for approval has been submitted to the FIA for the new Touring Car Endurance Series powered by Hankook (TCES). The inaugural season will include three events: the Hankook 24H SILVERSTONE (April 1-3), the Hankook 24H SLOVAKIA RING (June 14-16) and the Hankook 12H MEPPEN (September 23-24). Only touring cars are eligible to race in the three events in the UK, Slovakia and Germany, with regulations identical to those of the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook.
“Touring cars have always been an important factor in our races and the initiative for the inaugural 24H DUBAI, which eventually led to what is now known as the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, came from some touring car enthusiasts,” says CREVENTIC’s Helen Roukens. “The very positive feedback we received after the announcement of the Hankook 24H SILVERSTONE as a race only for touring cars inspired us to look for other opportunities, which we found at the Slovakia Ring and in Meppen. Many teams asked us whether it would be possible to establish a separate series for touring car endurance races, which is what we did.”
At Silverstone, drivers are eligible to score points for both the TCES and the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, as an extra motivation for drivers who normally race GT cars to take part in this touring car race as well. In the British round, they can score points for the overall standings. The events at Slovakia Ring and Meppen only count towards the TCES standings. “It is our aim to keep these events simple and affordable, to allow as many teams as possible to take part. As long as they don’t bring a GT car,” Roukens says. “Of course, our 24H SERIES powered by Hankook remains unaffected by this, touring cars are more than welcome for these races, too, and here, our focus remains on the amateur drivers.”
Known as ‘the home of British motor racing’, the Silverstone circuit needs no further introduction. It was here that the first-ever Formula 1 World Championship race was held and the circuit in Northamptonshire has served as the venue for countless prestigious races throughout its long history. The Slovakia Ring, located within 40 kilometres from Bratislava, was opened in 2009 after a construction time of one year. The circuit has hosted rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship and the FIA GT Championship and is considered as a challenging, technical circuit. The circuit of Meppen is located in the north-west of Germany and is part of the so-called ‘Funpark Meppen’. The 2.2 kilometres long track is a brand-new facility. Information about the Touring Car Endurance Series powered by Hankook can be found at: www.touringcarenduranceseries.com.
