Pirelli World Challenge grows with addition of TCR class

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pirelli Tire North America's engagement as the tire supplier for the Pirelli World Challenge road-racing series has grown since last season with the addition of a new class, the TCR production-based touring car category.

The TCR class — which is running internationally under the aegis of the World Touring Car Cup — comprises front-wheel-drive sedans powered by 2-liter turbocharged engines.

Some car models expected to compete in the class are the Alfa Romeo Giuletta, Audi Sports RS2, Honda Civic, Hyundai i30 and VW GTi. The new class will compete within the PWC's Touring Car category for the next three seasons after debuting last year on a trial basis.

PWC has scheduled 12 TCR races this year on six race weekends. The new class has attracted six teams thus far, preparing to enter up to 12 cars.

Pirelli Tire is in the final year of a five-year sponsorship and tire-supply agreement with PWC, but the company is in negotiations with the organizing body to extend that, the firm reported recently.

In North America, the International Motor Sport Association also is using the TCR class rules for a separate class running within the existing Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes of its IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

The World Touring Car Cup — formerly the World Touring Car Championship — is allied with Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. as its tire supplier.

Now in its 29th season, the Pirelli World Challenge — originally called World Challenge Championship — offers racing based on production-based sports, touring and GT cars. The 2018 line-up comprises eight classes — GT/GTA, GT Cup, GTS, Touring Car, Touring Car A & B Spec, SprintX and TCR.

"We're excited about the ever-increasing number of teams and new TCR class and look forward to collaborating with the teams and WC Vision to take the championship to the next level," according to Rafael Navarro, chief marketing officer, Pirelli Tire North America, who called the PWC the "most diverse GT racing grid in the country."

It also was disclosed recently that custom wheel maker Forgeline Motorsports L.L.C. had struck a sponsorship deal with the PWC, providing the Dayton-based custom wheel maker with brand exposure through the PWC's promotional efforts.