Japanese racer Yukinori Taniguchi is set to compete in the TC2 category of the World Touring Car Championship for Nika Racing in 2014, it is reported.
Taniguchi made three appearances in the WTCC in 2013 in the Asian rounds of the series, securing the newly-introduced EuroSport Asia Trophy. The Japanese raced for three different teams – a first in the series in one season – by first driving a BMW 32o TC for Wiechers-Sport, followed by a SEAT León for Campos Racing and finally a Chevrolet Cruze fror Nika Racing.
The 45-year-old previously made his WTCC début in 2008 for N.Technology, before going on to compete in 2010 and 2011 for bamboo-egineering, with the latter season being his only year-long campaign in the championship so far.
Although the car with which the team will compete is not yet confirmed, it is possible that the small Swedish outfit will use a 2013-specification Honda Civic – none of which have yet been entered into the TC2 category of the 2014 championship.
Team Manager Niklas Karlsson reportedly came close to purchasing a TC1 Cruze from RML for the 2014 campaign, but was forced to look into TC2 options after Münnich Motorsport secured the final two cars earlier in the month.
Nika’s entry into TC2 means that there are likely to be at least six competitors in the category, with Engstler Motorsport having confirmed two BMW 320 TC cars and Campos expected to enter three SEAT Leóns once again.