Josh Files and Attila Tassi will race with JAS Motorsport in the 2018 TCR Europe series, after signing for the Honda TCR car builder as official test drivers for the new Honda Civic Type-R.
Files moves from the ADAC TCR Germany series, which he has dominated in recent years after winning the 2016 and 2017 titles, to the newly-formed TCR Europe.
The Brit also claimed the title in TCR middle East in 2017, and he has competed in selected events in TCR International since 2015, including helping to support Tassi’s title bid in Dubai at the end of 2017.
Tassi comes from a successful season in TCR International in the older-spec Honda Civic, where the young Hungarian finished the season as the runner-up after being in the title race for the entire season.
“It feels great to know I’ll be racing in TCR Europe this year with a Honda Civic TCR that I’m already familiar with after quite a bit of testing during the winter,” said 27-year-old Files. “After winning the German and Middle-East TCR crowns in JAS Hondas, TCR Europe is a logical next step for me and I know what it takes to win at this level.
“While my team is undecided for the moment, I’m sure I’ll have the machinery and the support necessary to be a major title contender.”
Both Files and Tassi have been involved in the testing and development of the new-spec Civic during the winter, with their roles now set to also include racing the car in the seven-event TCR Europe series.
The drivers will be assigned to race with a yet-to-be-named customer team as the continue to work on the car, which will also be raced in the new FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) by Tiago Monteiro, Esteban Guerrieri, Tom Coronel and Yann Ehrlacher.
“I’m very happy to confirm my participation in TCR Europe,” added 18-year-old Tassi. “Outside of WTCR, this is the highest-level championship for TCR cars and the competition will be fierce, but I feel that the testing I’ve done with JAS Motorsport over the winter will be of huge benefit.
“I’m not sure which team I will race for in TCR Europe but, having finished second in TCR International last year as part of a JAS customer team, I’m confident everything will be in place to challenge for the title.”
JAS Motorsport’s TCR Project Leader Mads Fischer is looking forward to working with two fast, young and up-coming drivers in touring car racing.
“We are very pleased to appoint Josh Files and Attila Tassi to official test roles within our TCR programme,” added Fischer. “Both are fantastic drivers; Josh taking championships in two years in JAS Hondas, and Attila, at just 18, beating some of the world’s best drivers in the discipline.
“Each has been invaluable during testing of the new Honda Civic TCR and I’m sure both will be extremely successful in TCR Europe. Both drivers should soon be able to announce their race programmes.”
TCR Europe kicks off at Circuit Paul Ricard on the 5-6 May.