The TCR Middle East series was launched in Bahrain

The new TCR Middle East series was officially launched yesterday at the Bahrain International Circuit during a race day of the national BIC 2000 championship.

The event featured a press conference that was attended by representatives of the local media and two test sessions that offered the local drivers the opportunity to sit at the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf TCR provided by Engstler Motorsport; 45 of them registered for the test.

Representatives of Audi Sport Customer Racing, JAS Motorsport and Romeo Ferraris were also present to meet the teams and explain the technical features of their cars and how to order them.

Bahrain International Circuit Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa commented: “We would like to thank TCR for their passion and drive in organising the first-ever TCR Middle East Series. We fully support this championship and we are excited to see its contributions to the vibrant motorsport culture in the region. We look forward to hosting the third and final round of the season in March of 2017 and we expect a full grid of some of the most talented racers from our part of the world.”

TCR promoter Marcello Lotti thanked Shaikh Salman and BIC before saying: “The TCR global community is growing faster than expected. We already have a number of regional and national series around the world, but we want more. The TCR Middle East is the latest addition and we are pleased to see that it is attracting so much interest from the local teams and drivers.”

The TCR Middle East series will kick off at Dubai Autodrome on 12/13 January 2017 as part of the 24 Hours of Dubai race meeting; two further rounds will follow at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit on February 9/10 and Bahrain International Circuit on March 9/10.

For news, information and pictures, please visit the dedicated website www.middleeast.tcr-series.com .