Comment: How is the new TCR UK Championship shaping up?

by Robert Jones

Castle Combe racing circuit was home to the fourth round in this new and aspiring Touring Car Championship, TCR UK.

Following successful events at Silverstone, Knockhill and Brands Hatch the TCR championship was looking for more of the same in Wiltshire.

With a new championship risks are always high, as so often sponsorship and securing television partners determine its fate.

The breakthrough for this championship was evident early on, with its race events being broadcast through highlight packages on Sky, Motors TV and Front Runner.

Its success is building weekend by weekend and at Castle Combe it was no different as the circuit was packed with people of all ages showing great support and great passion for the new championship and drivers.

Social media is as big a platform as any in the world today, with this in mind TCR officials will be aware that it’s an area to capitalize on. So far through four rounds they have averaged between 60,000 and 70,000 views across their social media live streams, which take place on Facebook, YouTube and the official TCR UK website.

Touring Car championships usually have upwards of 20 cars and multiple teams, this is a step that TCR have to build upon as the current number of cars stands at 11. This number has to increase going into its second full season in order to gain more spotlight and interest.

With that in mind, there is already good news on that front, as more cars are scheduled to take up gird places for the 2019 season. The biggest step is always jumping from year one into year two, and the more teams and drivers that join will only help increase sponsorship, media coverage and provide an even more competitive series for the fans.

With big names already a part of the series including Daniel Lloyd, the current championship leader who has won seven out of eight races and had great success in the BTCC and European championships, such as the Blancpain European Endurance Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup.

The series looks to be heading for a very bright future with a mix of big names and young budding stars such as Swedish siblings Jessica and Andreas Backman and touring car rookie Lewis Kent.

Round five of the championship takes place on the 4th and 5th of August at Oulton Park.