Motorsport Series News for January 12, 2022

As motorsport gears up for 2022, there is a lot of motorsport series news this week to share. From sports cars to touring cars, single-seaters to one makes, new series are being launched and regulations are changing for 2022. Here is a sample of what is happening.

As I mentioned on Monday, instead of publishing a Weekly Debrief covering a multitude of news racers can use, for 2022 I am breaking the topics down that have comprised the Weekly Debrief and publishing each topic on its own daily for ease of reading and access.

Sports Car News

A lot of news in the world of sports car racing in both prototypes, GTs and one makes.

• There is no doubt that the Mazda MX-5 is one of the best and most popular one make sports cars racing today. They are relatively inexpensive to race, there are a number of series you can race them in and the racing is usually fast and furious. In the UK the BRSCC have announced the brand new for 2022 Mazda MX-5 Supercup Clubman Championship. There are positioning the series as a “one-day, two race, entry level contest for the Mk3 Mazda MX-5, producing a great starting point for drivers new to racing an MX-5 SuperCup car with the BRSCC.”

• Still sticking with the MX-5, over in the United States the Spec MX-5 Challenge have announced a new point system. According to the organizers “The goal is to encourage transparency, making race wins more trackable for competitors than in previous seasons. This system adds the best seven races without averaging.” According to Series Manager Anna Osburn, “In the past averaging allowed for an exciting finish, so to continue that spirit we will double points for the final event weekend of the season.”

• If you are looking to race in some endurance races as part of the new SCCA Enduro Nationals, applications for entry are now open.

• The ADAC and Creventic are launching a brand new German National LMP3 series with official licensing from the ACO called the Prototype Cup Germany. It is due to start this year with a four-round calendar consisting of races at Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring, Lausitzring and Hockenheim. It is aimed at teams that run LMP3 cars, although CN machinery will also be eligible.

• St. Petersburg has been added to the 2022 GT America calendar.

• Entries are now open for 2022 European Sports Prototype Cup by Revolution Race Cars. There are classes for Revolution A-One and Radical SR3 at all rounds and there will be an Open class for LMP-type cars at Barcelona and Le Castellet.

• Revolution Race Cars have also announced that they have granted permission for URO Motorsports to use the Revolution brand and format for the next two seasons in a Sports Prototype Cup Korea. Mirroring the European format with classes for Radical and Revolution models, the Sports Prototype Cup Europe and Sports Prototype Cup Korea will seek opportunities to collaborate on joint events in the future.

• Finally, the 2022 GT Celebration championship schedule has been released. According to the organizers, “GT Celebration was built from the ground up utilizing both experience and passion with one mission; deliver a unique racing platform for drivers and teams to compete in a safe, adrenaline-filled, unforgettable environment. GTC features dozens of manufacturers and a wide range of race cars that compete in one of four classes.”

Single Seaters

• A new F4 series has been announced that is aiming to boost single-seater racing in central Europe. Called ACCR F4, the series intends to run in Hungary, Austria, Poland, Croatia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It will run with both the Gen 1 and Gen 2 F4 Tatuus T-014 and T-421 chassis powered by Abarth engines while running on Pirelli tires. According to Formula Scout who interviewed the organizers “One of ACR F4’s main selling points will be low costs for F4. While a year in ADAC or Italian F4 can cost upwards of €250,000, the organizers in central Europe are aiming to keep annual running costs down to €50,000-€100,000. That would mean far less testing than other series on the continent.”

• The new Formula Regional Indian Championship (FRIC) and Indian Formula 4 series have had their starting dates postponed by eight months to November. When the series does launch they will be following a format similar to the United States-based Road to Indy. A pathway has been set up so that the champion of Indian F4 will receive a funded graduation to FRIC and the champion of that series will get a 2023 Formula Regional Asia Championship seat.

• David Coulthard has let slip that the W Series is targeting its own feeder series in its long-term plans but nothing is confirmed yet.

• The 2022 edition of the New Zealand Grand Prix has been canceled due to Covid-related border control issues. In its place a “feature GT race” will be held.

• The new American USF Junior series is set to launch in 2022 that the AMR Safety Team used in Indycar and Road to Indy races will be present at all USF Junior races and will “oversee local track safety units to ensure the series is providing rapid, safe rescue efforts and delivering efficient race car recovery practices.” In addition, series organizers have confirmed that all races will be live streamed on RoadToIndy.TV, the USF Juniors App and usfjuniors.com.

• Portuguese-based Formula Futuro has revealed their 2022 calendar as well as information on their car classes and race formats. They feature arrive & drive packages and are targeting younger drivers. According to series organizer André Marques: “Our goal is to offer the best product. To do this, we always have to take account of the reality in which we have entered and listen to all involved, including riders, teams, partners and organizing clubs. With Future Formula we want to provide conditions for younger riders to be able to continue to evolve in auto sports. It is with that goal that we readjusted the Formula Future format without altering your DNA, a project we are focused on making it possible.” More information in English can be found on their Facebook page.

Touring Car

• As the first image of the new Toyota Corolla TCR was released it was announced that the 2022 car had completed its first tests. The Toyota Corolla Sedan TCR underwent its first track tests at the Autódromo Oscar Cabalén in Alta Gracia, Argentina. The car was the first prototype built by the Argentina-based TOYOTA GAZOO Racing that will exclusively produce and market the Corolla for TCR competitions all over the world in all the TCR-sanctioned series, including the FIA WTCR.

• While Toyota looks forward to 2022, Audi proudly announced that the Audi RS 3 LMS was again “TCR Model of the Year.”

• In more manufacturer news, a new generation Honda Civic Type R TCR model is expected for 2022.

• There were some significant Touring Car-related news concerning regulation changes for 2022. Here are some of the more important ones:
  • A number of changes to the points and weight compensation systems for the 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup were announced at the recent FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris. Full details can be found here.
  • TCR Europe will be introducing a new qualifying points system which will see points awarded for both phases of qualifying.
  • Finally, the 2022 TCR South America champion will race in a TCR Europe event in 2023. In addition, TCR South America will also introduce the Copa Junior reserved for drivers under 23 years of age.

NASCAR

• NASCAR is planning a significant change with their new next generation car and Road & Track has a good summary of the changes in Inside NASCAR’s 2022 Rule Decision: 670 HP and a 4-Inch Spoiler

That is it for this week. If you are involved in a motorsport series and have news to share, please do not hesitate to contact me.