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TCR celebrates decade of competition
March 28 is a significant date in touring car history as it heralded the introduction of TCR.
The TCR International Series made its debut supporting the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in 2015, spawning the beginning of a touring car ruleset, which continues to be the leading global formula to this day.
Having hosted series across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia in addition to the top-tier Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, the regulation ruleset has also spawned racing models from 17 manufacturers.
Australia can lay claim to the latest model to be homologated for TCR competition being developed here courtesy of Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Peugeot 308 P51 TCR.
The opening round of the 2015 TCR International Series at Sepang began one of the most successful touring car rulesets in motorsport history and re-shaped the category landscape worldwide.
Italian Stefano Comini made history by winning the first TCR race in a Seat Leon Cup Racer, while Spaniard Jordi Gene completed the double in a similar model.
For Comini, it proved an important victory as he secured the inaugural TCR International Series at the end of 2015.
“The memories of that day will stay with me forever! It was mind-blowing,” said Comini.
“My previous experience had been in lesser series and finding myself in an international championship within an F1 event was something I had never dreamt of.
“After the race I was bewildered. I remember that someone dragged me up to the podium where they played the ‘Carmen’ like for F1; Bob Constanduros was trying to interview me and I wasn’t able to understand a single word he said…
“It was magic and I’m still excited when I think about that.
“I’m so proud that 10 years ago I was the first ever TCR race winner and, later on, the first ever TCR champion!”
TCR Australia made its highly anticipated debut at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2019 and is preparing for its sixth season of competition.