World Touring Car Championship

History

The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) is an international touring car racing series sanctioned by the FIA. The series was first established in 1987, but it was short-lived, lasting only one season before being discontinued. It was revived in 2005 and continued until 2017, when it was replaced by the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR).

The 1987 season saw the championship being contested over 11 rounds, with races held in Europe, Asia, and Australia. The series featured a variety of manufacturers, including BMW, Ford, Holden, and Mercedes-Benz. The championship was won by Roberto Ravaglia, driving a BMW M3.

The revival in 2005 was part of the FIA's efforts to create a global touring car series. The new WTCC featured a mix of professional and privateer teams, with races held on some of the world's most famous circuits, including Monza, Macau, and Nürburgring. The series quickly gained popularity, attracting top drivers and manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Honda, and Citroën.

Technical Regulations

The WTCC cars were based on production models, with modifications allowed to improve performance and safety. The regulations were designed to keep costs down and ensure close competition. The cars were required to use 2.0-liter turbocharged engines, with a maximum power output of around 380 horsepower. The minimum weight for the cars was set at 1,150 kg, including the driver.

The series used a Balance of Performance (BoP) system to ensure parity between different manufacturers. This system involved adjusting the weight, engine power, and aerodynamics of the cars based on their performance in previous races. The aim was to prevent any one manufacturer from dominating the championship.

Race Format

The WTCC race weekends typically consisted of two races, each lasting around 60 kilometers. The starting grid for the first race was determined by a qualifying session, while the grid for the second race was based on the results of the first race, with the top ten positions reversed. This format was designed to encourage overtaking and close racing.

Points were awarded to the top ten finishers in each race, with the winner receiving 25 points, second place 18 points, and so on down to one point for tenth place. The driver with the most points at the end of the season was crowned the WTCC champion.

Notable Drivers and Teams

Over the years, the WTCC attracted some of the best touring car drivers in the world. Notable drivers included Yvan Muller, who won four WTCC titles, and José María López, who won three consecutive championships with Citroën. Other notable drivers included Gabriele Tarquini, Andy Priaulx, and Rob Huff.

The series also featured some of the most successful teams in touring car racing. RML, which ran the Chevrolet team, won four consecutive manufacturers' titles from 2010 to 2013. Citroën Racing dominated the championship from 2014 to 2016, winning both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles in each of those years. Other successful teams included Honda Racing Team JAS and LADA Sport.

Circuits

The WTCC visited some of the most iconic circuits in the world. The series' calendar included a mix of traditional race tracks and street circuits. Some of the most notable circuits included:

Spa-Francorchamps – Known for its challenging layout and unpredictable weather, Spa is one of the most famous circuits in the world.
Suzuka – A favorite among drivers, Suzuka features a unique figure-eight layout and a mix of high-speed corners and technical sections.
Monaco – The tight and twisty streets of Monaco provided a unique challenge for the drivers and a spectacular backdrop for the races.
Le Mans – The WTCC raced on the shorter Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans, which still provided plenty of excitement.
Interlagos – The Brazilian circuit is known for its passionate fans and challenging layout.

Decline and Transition to WTCR

Despite its initial success, the WTCC began to face challenges in its later years. The cost of competing in the series continued to rise, and some manufacturers began to withdraw their support. The introduction of the TCR International Series in 2015 provided a more cost-effective alternative for touring car racing, and many teams and drivers began to switch to the new series.

In response to these challenges, the FIA announced that the WTCC would be replaced by the WTCR in 2018. The new series adopted the TCR technical regulations, which allowed for a greater variety of cars and reduced costs. The WTCR also featured a new race format, with three races per weekend and a more streamlined points system.

Legacy

The WTCC left a lasting legacy in the world of touring car racing. The series helped to raise the profile of touring car racing on a global scale and provided a platform for some of the best drivers and teams in the sport. The WTCC also played a key role in the development of the TCR regulations, which have since become the standard for touring car racing around the world.