Former Stock Car Brasil racer and one-time British Touring Car Championship driver Flávio Figueiredo is considering an entry into the 2018 TCR European Series, having recently tested an Audi in Italy.
Figueiredo, along with fellow Brazilian Márcio Basso, recently took the opportunity to test an Audi RS3 LMS TCR at the Adria International Raceway, becoming the first Brazilians to test a TCR car in the process.
Figueiredo has a long motorsport career, having competed in Stock Car Brasil for 13 seasons between 2001 and 2013. He also took part in the South American Super Touring championship in 1997 and 1999, where he took race victories.
Perhaps the 46-year-old’s best known exploits for European race fans came in 1998 though, when he stood in for the injured John Cleland in two BTCC races in 1998 for Vauxhall.
“I think the TCR concept is one of the best at the moment,” said Figueiredo, who is considering an entry in TCR in 2018. “I wish we had this championship in Brazil!”
Basso has recent experience in GT cars, where he has been taking part in GT Open in a Mercedes AMG GT3 racer.
“It is a really nice car to drive, with a perfect balance between power and grip,” explained Basso, who is looking to enter the TCR Endurance Cup in 2018. “I have some experience with front-wheel driver cars, because I also raced in the Brazilian Touring Car Championship, so I was able to make a comparison.
“I enjoyed a lot this experience and would like to thank Maurício Slaviero and the TCR Academy for giving me this opportunity. I hope to be back next year.”