After a successful inaugural season, the Kumho TCR World Tour has been elevated to FIA competition status.
 
The series reinvigorated world-level touring car racing this year, which included two rounds as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries, prompting the FIA to get behind the competition for a three-year period.
 
As a result, the world series will now be known as the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, with next year’s season to be made up of nine rounds across six different continents over a seven-month period.
 
Like this year, November’s Race Sydney and Supercheap Auto Bathurst International will take place at the back end of the schedule, setting up the finale in Macau.
 
The confirmed 2024 calendar also includes rounds in Italy, Morocco, the United States of America, Brazil, Argentina and China.
 
The 2024 season will then be followed by a FIA TCR World Ranking Final, with details to be announced in due course – this season’s World Ranking Final will take place in Portugal towards the start of March.
 
FIA Senior Circuit Sport Director Marek Nawarecki was pleased the FIA could get behind the growing series.


 
“Being present on six different continents is a great start as we are set for the return of world-level FIA touring car racing,” Nawarecki said.
 
“The format that Kumho FIA TCR World Tour will rely on next year is something that will help to build bridges between national- and regional-level touring car series and the pinnacle of touring car racing, creating a healthy ecosystem for this form of racing. 
 
“The FIA will bring its regulatory framework to TCR World Tour, overseeing Sporting and Technical Regulations and their application, which is essential given that events of different local series on the calendar have their respective differences.” 
 
WSC President Marcello Lotti was thrilled the series got the official support of the FIA.
 
“We are immensely proud that, after only one racing season, the concept of the Kumho TCR World Tour has already met with general approval from the motor sport community,” Lotti said.
 
“2023 has been successful thanks to the trust and support of the promoters of several national and regional TCR championships, the manufacturers, teams and drivers. 
 
“To now be able to award an FIA title is the icing on the cake and provides us with powerful motivation to do our utmost to make this platform even stronger and more popular. Which is why our first efforts have been to focus on putting together an ambitious and attractive calendar for the next season.
 
“A string of nine events that make the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour the first ever international series for touring cars to visit six continents.”
 
The 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour begins at the Vallelunga Circuit in Rome, Italy on 19-21 April.