Reigning TCR Asia champion Kantadhee Kusiri will return to the series in this weekend’s races in South Korea, joining the Viper Niza Racing team at the wheel of a SEAT León TCR.
Thai racer Kusiri lifted last year’s title with Liqui Moly Team Engstler, racing a Volkswagen Golf GTi TCR, taking three wins in the process.
But the 25-year-old was without a drive in the series when action kicked off back in March, leaving him unable to defend his crown.
He will return to the series this weekend for Rounds 7 and 8 at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, where the inaugural TCR Korea series also gets underway.
TCR Asia had previously shared the grid with competitors from TCR Thailand this year, but that will switch to Korean entrants this weekend.
Despite that, TCR Thailand regulars Chariya Nuya and Nattachak Hanjitkasem will also enter this weekend’s races as guest entries with Billionaire Boy Racing and TBN MK ihere Racing Honda Civic cars respectively.
Hong Kong racer Alex Hui will also take part in a Volkswagen Golf GTi TCR entered by E-Rain Motorsport, but like Nuya and Hanjitkasem will be ineligible for points. E-Rain Motorsport will also enter a Golf GTi for experienced GT racer Andrew Kim.
Amongst the local drivers also entered will be journalist racer Charlie Kang and Cho Hoon Hyun in a pair of Hyundai i30 N TCR cars entered by the Indigo Racing Team.
KMSA Motorsport have entered a sole Hyundai i30 N TCR for Kam Dongwoo, whilst DreamRacer Racing Team have entered a new Honda Civic Type R for Kim Byoung Hyun.
Qualifying gets underway at 15:30 local time (07:30 BST, 08:30 CEST) on Saturday, followed by races one and two at 10:45 and 14:00 local time (02:45 and 06:00 BST, 03:45 and 07:00 CEST) on Sunday.