Brazilian Stock Car team W2 Racing has confirmed that it will enter a pair of Honda Civic TCR cars into next year’s inaugural TCR South America series, with Raphael Reis racing one of the cars.
The team is the first to reveal its entry into the new regional championship, which has already announced strong preliminary interest in the category.
The team, which is based in Rio de Janeiro, is the most successful team in the history of the Brazilian Stock Car Light series, whilst Reis clinched the 2018 title with the team.
The team is headed up by former racer Serafin Júnior and has input from Duda Pamplona.
“The TCR concept is a success around the world and has all the attributes necessary to deliver a beautiful championship for fans, sponsors and drivers in South America,” said Team Principal Serafin Júnior.
“We are very motivated to take W2 Racing to an international challenge, with Raphael Reis, with whom we have already won a championship at Stock Light and led the 2020 championship.
“We are proud to represent Honda, a very strong manufacturer in the Brazilian market and have the support of Honda and JAS Motorsport.
“It is incredible to participate in the birth of a new category, to represent such an important brand and to be able to compete in partnership with professionals so important to the history of W2, such as Raphael Reis and Duda Pamplona.”
Reis added that he has long maintained an interest in other international TCR series over the past few years.
“I am very happy to announce our entry into TCR South America,” said Reis. “I have always watched WTCR and other TCR series around the world and became interested as soon as I saw that it would be in Brazil.
“Naturally, the idea was developed with Serafin, with whom I have worked for four years including the title of 2018.
“It is a partnership that started on the tracks and became a great friendship. Realizing the dream of running internationally with people I trust at work makes me very excited.
“I leave the rear-wheel drive for the front-wheel drive car, where I started in touring cars, in categories known in Brazil as ‘Regional Brands’.
“It is a type of guided tour that I really like and I am extremely motivated to take another step in my career.
“I started in karting and it was just a joke. Then I went to cars, I grew up, I participated in regional events, after a national championship and I was Brazilian champion at Stock Light.
“So I’m looking for another step, now international, with drivers from different countries, new tracks and different situations from what I’m used to.
“The Honda is a car that proves to be very competitive and I trust W2 a lot to seek new achievements.”