The FIA TCR World Tour is set to cancel the two Australian rounds it was scheduled to hold at Sydney and Bathurst in 2024, with WSC Group having advised ARG it was ‘not in a position to race in Australia in 2024’.
The news comes as a blow for both the World Tour and the Australian Racing Group (ARG) promoted TCR Australia series.
The cause of the cancellation has been cited as being due to challenges delaying international logistics, and the tight timescale between the planned events in Australia and Macau – with the three events held within the space of just 16 days, all in November.
The TCR World Tour held events at the same circuits at the end of 2023, within a similarly tight schedule.
Specifically, the issues surrounding international shipping in relation to the Red Sea by Yemen, where ships have come under attach by Houthi rebels in recent months, have been blamed for the challenges.
Marcello Lotti, WSC President, explained the full reasons behind the calendar changes.
“In the wake of the Suez Canal closure, as consequence of the ongoing Red Sea crisis, and its subsequent impact on the shipping industry and the resulting major delays, WSC Group, the promoter of KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour, was left with no choice but to reevaluate this season’s schedule,” said Lotti.
“The original plan to ship the equipment from Uruguay, after Round 5 held in El Pinar from August 2-4, directly to China for the subsequent event scheduled in Zhuzhou from September 20-22
“However, the transportation delays make it impossible for the freight to be delivered on time, leaving the Chinese round of the series, as well as the subsequent two rounds in Australia, in doubt.
“Following consultations with the series’ key stakeholders and the participating teams, a difficult decision was taken to drop the two Australian events (Round 7 at Sydney Motorsport Park and Round 8 Mount Panorama Circuit) from this year’s KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour calendar with the intention to reinstate them on the schedule in 2025.
“The updated calendar will be submitted for the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council at the next meeting taking place on February 28.
“In the meantime, we encourage competitors to enter in the Bathurst International event, thus consolidating the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation we have established with the promoter of TCR Australia.”
A statement from the Australian Racing Group reads:
“WSC Group, the promoter of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, has advised the Australian Racing Group it is not in a position to race in Australia in 2024. This is due to issues that are delaying international deliveries around the globe in 2024 as a result of current international events.
“The two previously announced Australian rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park and Mount Panorama will not form part of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour calendar in 2024, however both circuits will remain on the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series calendar as host venues for the penultimate and final rounds respectively.
“WSC has advised ARG of its decision more than eight months ahead of the first scheduled Australian round, after forward planning highlighted the increasing challenges for Kumho FIA TCR World Tour teams to commit to sending multiple race cars and associated infrastructure to Australia.
“While understandably disappointed by the news, ARG remains committed, with the support of WSC, to delivering a TCR race of international significance at this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst International and ensuring Australian drivers have the opportunity to once again compete against elite level TCR drivers from around the world.
“As a result of this decision, the Race Sydney event will no longer take place on 1-3 November, and the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will now join the existing Shannons SpeedSeries Sydney round on 18-20 October. The previously announced date for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International (November 8-10) remains unchanged.
“WSC has indicated it plans to return in 2025 and beyond, with the FIA international series intended to be a key part of the future of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.”