After following the likes of the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), the TCR Europe Touring Car Series, the TCR UK Touring Car Championship and the ADAC TCR Germany Touring Car Championship in recent seasons, TCR Talk will be following a new series for 2020:
The 2020 TCR Malaysia Touring Car Championship
After the success of the new inaugural season in 2019, WSC Asia Limited has launched their calendar for the six-rounds that will make up the second season with all events again contested on the iconic Sepang International Circuit.
With most championships around the world enjoying a sabbatical during the winter period, Malaysia proved an ideal venue during the cold northern off-season for teams looking to get a head start on the new year, attracting a number of teams from across Asia and Europe.
2020 TCR Malaysia Championship – Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur
Rounds 1 & 2: 17-18 January 2020
Rounds 3 & 4: 14-16 February 2020
Rounds 5 & 6: 28 February-1 March 2020
Last year the fight between 2019 TCR Asia Series champion Luca Engstler and 2012 World Touring Car champion Rob Huff had the world talking during the first weekend of action.
Local hero Mitchell Cheah used the series to prepare himself for his maiden 2019 TCR Germany campaign and his wildcard entry into the WTCR Race of Malaysia which takes place during the middle of December.
Last season Liqui Moly Team Engstler proved the wealth of their international experience to give Luca Engstler the maiden TCR Malaysia title with the German-based team expected to again set the pace for season 2020.
They will also be using the campaign to test a selection of rising young local stars ahead of the various championships they will contest globally in 2020.
WSC Asia Limited’s David Sonenscher explains his hopes for the 2020 season.
“We had a terrific reception to last year’s Championship, with many of the teams committing to the next season, so it was an easy decision to make to reintroduce TCR Malaysia for 2020,” Sonenscher explained.
“Cost-wise too it’s very competitive given that teams can leave their cars at the circuit, so there’s no additional transport costs, there are multiple workshops within the circuit compound and opportunities to test between races, something which proved very popular last season.”
Sonenscher also highlighted the benefits that the state of the art Sepang International Circuit has to offer, especially during a time of year when winter testing in various parts of the world can cause a headache for teams.
“With a long European winter making testing a challenge, and so many teams using Sepang for their own test programs, it’s an ideal venue to prepare for the coming season under race conditions, something which allowed a number of teams to start their own national campaigns from a strong footing,” Sonenscher explained.
“As a true international circuit, with the option to run in daylight and under lights, Sepang can throw up a number of different testing scenarios – whilst we also saw tropical storms make an appearance for the debut season, so it’s certainly no guarantee that conditions will be the same for each race.”
Championship titles will once again be offered for the outright title, Teams’ Champion, Drivers’ Champion, Cup Drivers’ Champion (Amateur drivers) and Asian Drivers’ Champions with points accumulated through both qualifying and each of the 30-minute races.
Teams interested in being involved in the 2020 TCR Malaysia Championship should make contact with WSC Asia Limited based in Kuala Lumpur via; info@asia.tcr-series.com or contact Rikki Dy-Liacco via rikki@motorsportasia.com (+603 7957 9077)
I will be keeping things up to date on here as well as in The Official TCR Talk Group & The TCR UK Fans Group where members will also be sharing their thoughts and any news from The 2020 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), The 2020 TCR Europe Touring Car Series, The 2020 TCR UK Touring Car Championship and other Domestic & Regional TCR Series from around the world.
All images are used in this blog are courtesy of Match Chong unless otherwise credited.
Until next time, all the best!
Phil!!!
