TCR UK 2023

[jsmee]

Pretty sure Sargeant said he's selling one of them, but whichever sells first will go and the other will stay?

[tocatrucky]

Multiple sources inside the championship circle are suggesting Dan Kirby has passed away.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Multiple sources inside the championship circle are suggesting Dan Kirby has passed away.

Sadly true, he passed away 06.48 today in Hospital, peacefully with his family by his side. R.I.P. Dan

[Andrew Abbott]

From racing in TCR UK earlier this year, to resigning from most of his companies in July and now passing away, a very sudden and sad end for Dan. RIP and thoughts with his family and young girls.

[FIRE]

Discussion about 2024 in this topic.

[coffinpilot]

Found it interesting contrasting with two TCR team mates from last season over the last few days.
Jamie Tonks didn't show up to race in Minis at BTCC after announcing it, while his teammate from last year Jessica Hawkins tested an F1 car.

Nothing between them, shows you what a bit of sponsorship and politics can do.....

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Found it interesting contrasting with two TCR team mates from last season over the last few days.
Jamie Tonks didn't show up to race in Minis at BTCC after announcing it, while his teammate from last year Jessica Hawkins tested an F1 car.

Nothing between them, shows you what a bit of sponsorship and politics can do.....

But Mainly politics….

[redshoes]

Scott Sumpton picked up an FL5 from JAS this week. I assume he will be using that at Brands

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Scott Sumpton picked up an FL5 from JAS this week. I assume he will be using that at Brands

I heard that he was going to run it in testing, but race the FK7.
There's also word that Restart are looking at Europe for next year.
Not sure if that's full time. I know Smiley had the intention to race there this year for a few rounds but I reckon the car issues must have canned that.
Their advert for a social media manager before the season started said they would be travelling to European circuits.

[coffinpilot]

Oddly, just seen Sumpton post that he's racing the FK7 at Brands.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Oddly, just seen Sumpton post that he's racing the FK7 at Brands.

Going by the season so far, it’s probably a downgrade to go to the new one!

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Going by the season so far, it’s probably a downgrade to go to the new one!

I wouldn't disagree on that!
I know Sumpton is learning the ropes still, but I don't doubt my own gut feeling that Smiley would have won races in the FK7 this season, and would be at least on the edges of the title battle.

[redshoes]

https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/wilmot-retu...-of-dan-kirby/
Andy Wilmot back at Brands in Dan Kirby's old car, in tribute livery

[coffinpilot]

Brad Kent not entering the final round.
Has been a very poor year - they've looked disenchanted with the whole thing.
Does have me thinking about how many will be back next season from the current year.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Brad Kent not entering the final round.
Has been a very poor year - they've looked disenchanted with the whole thing.
Does have me thinking about how many will be back next season from the current year.

He’s a Hyundai junior is he not, with Alex Ley? Is that likely to give them a footing with a possible Hyundai program in Europe or elsewhere? Perhaps otherwise he’ll return next year with another team rather than running the car themselves, but as you say it doesn’t seem like there’s much enthusiasm to stick around. Not surprised with so many reliability issues for almost everyone in the series.

[jsmee]

Looks like the Darron Lewis Gen1 Audi has a new owner - George Jaxon raced it alongside Scott Sumpton in British Endurance Champs at the weekend.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Evantra

He’s a Hyundai junior is he not, with Alex Ley? Is that likely to give them a footing with a possible Hyundai program in Europe or elsewhere? Perhaps otherwise he’ll return next year with another team rather than running the car themselves, but as you say it doesn’t seem like there’s much enthusiasm to stick around. Not surprised with so many reliability issues for almost everyone in the series.

I don't think the Hyundai thing looks that much, apart from the odd race suit and some training sessions TBH. Doesn't look like they (or anybody eligible) will be off to the world final thing. If Hyundai were serious they'd be putting them in an Elantra each for it.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Looks like the Darron Lewis Gen1 Audi has a new owner - George Jaxon raced it alongside Scott Sumpton in British Endurance Champs at the weekend.

He's racing a DSG Audi this weekend on the entry list - was the Darron Lewis one a DSG?

[samchevron]

He's tested at Mugello and Vallelunga earlier this year with BRC Racing, Hyundai's TCR World Tour team.

Working alongside their World Tour drivers and Tarquini, he was fastest during the Mugello test earlier this year in an Elantra against the TCR Italy regulars.

The Hyundai Junior programme is much more than just some stickers on a race suit and some training sessions.

[samchevron]

Looks like it says SEQ? Sequential I'm guessing, that's how they separate the Mk 1s and Mk 2s in TCRs. Brad Hutchison's is also an SEQ.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Doesn't look like they (or anybody eligible) will be off to the world final thing. If Hyundai were serious they'd be putting them in an Elantra each for it.

Perhaps Restart are the most likely, given they did the Motorsport Games and are probably desperate for any testing of that car.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Perhaps Restart are the most likely, given they did the Motorsport Games and are probably desperate for any testing of that car.

Also depends where it's held I suppose?
Couldn't see them taking a car to China or Argentina or somewhere far off, and would they really want to hop into a car they don't know for a one-off?

It's a costly idea - to be honest I can't see the World Tour lasting beyond another year or two - unless some serious backing comes along.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Also depends where it's held I suppose?
Couldn't see them taking a car to China or Argentina or somewhere far off, and would they really want to hop into a car they don't know for a one-off?

It's a costly idea - to be honest I can't see the World Tour lasting beyond another year or two - unless some serious backing comes along.

Just been announced it’s at Algarve, so not too bad for potential British teams. Still an expense I doubt many could afford from your own and others’ insights!

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by samchevron

Looks like it says SEQ? Sequential I'm guessing, that's how they separate the Mk 1s and Mk 2s in TCRs. Brad Hutchison's is also an SEQ.

The first-generation Audi RS3 was made available as both a Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) and Sequential gearbox (SEQ) car.

The second generation car is only available with a racing gearbox.

The whole DSG / SEQ thing for first-gen cars is only a thing for VAG cars.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

The first-generation Audi RS3 was made available as both a Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) and Sequential gearbox (SEQ) car.

The second generation car is only available with a racing gearbox.

The whole DSG / SEQ thing for first-gen cars is only a thing for VAG cars.

Not about the post, but have to give props to TouringCars.net Andrew.
I'm a tin top fan so your website and the other one (the 'Times' one) are invaluable to touring car fans (can't even find BTCC or TCR other than World Tour or Aus on Motorsport(dot)com) so it's appreciated.

I know Autosport puts the odd thing up, but I'm a bit disappointed that Autosport and Motorsport News are less interested than they were, glad that Touring Car mag/Motor Racing UK have upped the print game for Touring Car coverage too.

You'd think TCR/BTCC would get more coverage. I guess that's a discussion for elsewhere though!