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Although the fourth year of the TCR Eastern Europe will not start until April 2022 at the Hungaroring, it doesn´t mean that nothing is going on behind the scenes. Preparations are in full swing.
After two Serbian champions Milovan Vesnič (2019) and Dušan Borkovič (2020), this season was marked by a duel between two Czech competitors – Tomáš Pekař and Michal Makeš, who eventually transformed his final race in Brno into a title. He also became the best junior in TCR Eastern Europe.
Over the past season, 25 drivers from 11 countries have taken part in the championship and promoter Josef Křenek wants to continue this growing trend: “The current situation is still not easy and no one can predict how motorsport and other sports will continue to develop. Unstable and uncertain travel restrictions, hygiene measures, grandstands without spectators … It is very difficult for everyone and I believe that keeping costs low is now the most important way we can contribute to maintaining the current level of racing, high sporting value and safety. “
The coming season brings a number of novelties. The calendar again has six rounds, but in two cases the circuit has changed. After a two-year break, the popular Red Bull Ring is returning to host TCR Eastern Europe in early June. The first round will traditionally take place at the Hungaroring, followed by mentioned Red Bull Ring, at the end of June the drivers will move to Poznan, in July to sunny Croatia, August will belong to Slovakia and the final event will take place in the Czech Republic – but not in Brno, as has been the tradition in recent years, but this time at the Autodrom Most.
Another significant change is the return to count all points in the championship rankings. In 2021, the two worst results were deleted, but this time it will again depend on every result and every point gained.
The proven qualification format will be retained. The order at the start of the first race will be decided by the traditional qualification. In the second race, drivers will start in the order of the first race, but the first six to ten positions will be in reverse order. The draw will decide how many positions will be rotated. This format brings dramatic moments for the spectators as the favourites have to fight from the back and the drivers from the middle of the field have a chance to take the podium.
Sometimes, however, it is not just a talent that matters. Racing technology also plays a big role. There are differences in performance between cars from different years of production and stages of development. That’s why TCR Eastern Europe is preparing a special rating for cars built before 2019, giving drivers with older cars a chance to succeed. A cup for the fastest woman is also being prepared as part of the championship.
