The new Fiat Tipo TCR car developed by Italian team Tecnodom Sport will make its racing début in next week’s TCR Europe races at Monza, racing under a temporary homologation.
The car has been in development since 2018 by the Italian TCR team, and its racing début is much anticipated after numerous test outings.
The car recently took part in a test at the Circuit Tazio Nuvolari in Italy with South American drivers Benjamin Hites and Nico Varrone, with interest high in the region ahead of the start of TCR South America in 2021.
According to Article 2.15 of the TCR Technical Regulations, the car will be allowed to participate under a temporary homologation form, although as a result it will be ineligible to score points.
The team has opted to use Italian F3 Champion Luca Rangoni for its first race appearance. Rangoni has previously raced TCR machinery for the Italian Top Run Motorsport team in 2015, 2016 and 2018 when he was behind the wheel of their Subaru WRX STi.
The car will run with a minimum racing weight of 1,265 kg, a ground clearance of 80 mm and engine power of 100% under the TCR Balance of Performance.
“We had the possibility to take part this weekend in the TCR Italy event at Vallelunga, but with the aim of giving our programme a more international visibility we have decided to enter in the TCR Europe at Monza,” said Team Principal Domiziano Giacon.
“Our car will not be eligible to score but will be put to the proof against a more competitive grid.
“We are very grateful to WSC Group and the TCR Europe promoter for their support to this participation that represents a planned step in the technical development of the car and will help us to identify the areas in which we have to work.
“We are really excited to see how the Tipo will perform compared to the top-level field of TCR Europe in this early stage of its development.”
WSC Group President Marcello Lotti added that there had already been interest from around the world in the latest addition to the TCR field.
“We are delighted to welcome a new and renowned brand as Fiat entering the TCR arena,” said Lotti. “Tecnodom Sport have worked on the car for more than one year now, and so we are confident that they will be able to prove its potential.
“We have already received several enquiries from teams and promoters of TCR series around the world who are eager to see how the Tipo will perform.”