The FIA World Touring Car Cup has confirmed races in Italy and the Alsace region of France for its two replacement races in the 2022 season, taking the place of the cancelled Russian and Czech Republic events.
The Race of Russia was originally scheduled for 6 – 7 August at Sochi but was cancelled following the country’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February.
The Race of the Czech Republic was supposed to be the season opener on 9 – 10 April, but was called off in response to the state of emergency declared in the country as it takes in refugees from Ukraine during the war.
The new events at Vallelunga in Italy and Anneau du Rhin in France have been ratified by an electronic vote of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
The event in Vallelunga, a first for World Touring Cars, on 23 – 24 July will be held in conjunction with the FIA eTouring Car World Cup, also promoted by Discovery Sports Events.
Anneau du Rhin is a brand new circuit to touring cars, and takes place on 6 – 7 August as the WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst (named as the moniker ‘Race of France’ will go to the season opener in Pau on 7 – 8 May).
“When we announced we wouldn’t be racing in Czech Republic and Russia this year, we pledged to put in place replacement events as quickly as possible and communicate on them once we had FIA World Motor Sport Council approval,” explained WTCR Director Jean-Baptiste Ley.
“We are very pleased, with the support of the FIA and local event promoters and ASNs to have finalised two new events for 2022.
“And with both venues new to the WTCR we’re creating an exciting unknown quantity that will only further spice up the on-track action for fans and broadcasters around the world.
“Vallelunga is an established venue for touring car racing while in Anneau du Rhin we visit the Alsace, a region that continues to perform a key role in the automotive industry, as well as being the birthplace of two of the WTCR’s most successful drivers, Yann Ehrlacher and Yvan Muller, who share six FIA World Touring Car titles between them.”
The WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst is of particular interest due to the unknowns surrounding the venue. The circuit, just 12 km from the German border, began life in 1996 and has a 3.6 km layout similar to Circuit Paul Ricard.
“François Rinaldi, Caroline Bugatti and myself are very pleased to integrate into the 2022 FIA WTCR calendar,” said Joshua Reibel, General Manager, Anneau du Rhin.
“We are preparing in Alsace, historical automobile territory, a big celebration around this event. We are pleased to welcome on his homeland, the King of WTCR for 2021, Yann Ehrlacher.
“A lot of surprises are coming. We would like to thank all collectives and partners who made this project possible in such a short period. We are waiting for you all in August.”