The winner of the 2016 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) will be rewarded with a prize of a drive in a World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) event in 2017, Eurosport Events has revealed.
The prize will be offered to the driver who tops the standings for the top class of the championship, which is reserved for drivers who compete at the wheel of FIA-designated TCN-2 or Super 2000 machinery.
The reward is limited to a European round of the 2017 WTCC. No details of the car which will be offered has yet been revealed.
“The FIA European Touring Car Cup provides an important step on the FIA’s touring car ladder and this prize drive is a good step, along with the chance to become an FIA champion,” explained Head of Eurosport Events François Ribeiro.
The prize drive is in addition to a €150,000 financial support package, which is offered by Eurosport Events and tyre partner Yokohama.
The winner of the ETCC’s Super 1600 category will be rewarded with a test drive in a TCN-2 car, which includes vehicles built to the new TCR regulations promoted by former WTCC boss Marcello Lotti, ahead of the 2017 season.
The 2016 ETCC will be contested over six events, with four supporting the WTCC, including at legendary venues such as Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Vila Real street race in Portugal.