2019 Touring Car World Series - Cancelled... or is it?

[MinardiFan95]

Welcome to the 2019 Touring Car World Series, which sees the return of a major International Touring Car series to the motorsports calendar after the collapse of FIA International ProCar. The Touring Car World Series will visit 16 Countries over 5 continents and will be featured on the support program of various high profile series.

Homologation List
The following S2000 and BTC specification cars are homologated for the start of the 2019 season:


Calendar (Subject to change, all dates TBA)



Teams
Teams will be split into three classifications - Factory, Independent and Regional.

Factory teams are the official teams of a manufacturer, and are automatically entered for every round of the series - generally a factory team will have a fixed driver lineup across their two cars for the season.

Independent teams are non manufacturer supported teams that are expected to enter the majority of the season, however they can be more flexible with their driver line-up in order to get sponsorship from local drivers.

Regional teams are only eligible to race in their home region (either Oceania, Americas, Europe or Asia). These teams are expected to be for local privateer entrants and one-off entries.


Factory team assignment
There are a number of manufacturers looking to enter the inaugural season of the TCWS - however, some are more committed to the series than others. Each manufacturer has a 'commitment' rating which will serve as a base RNG (for example, if a Manufacturer is at 80% commitment, the range for teams that apply will be from 1-80, whilst 81-100 will see the manufacturer not supporting a factory team for the season). The commitment rating can be increased or decreased based on the quality/amount of applicants for the team.

BMW M Sport - BMW 320i E46

As long-time supporters of touring cars, BMW are eager to enter the TCWS in 2019 as a factory team (99% commitment)
Conditions: BMW would prefer a team that is based in Germany

Repsol Team Seat Sport - Seat Toledo Cupra

SEAT are keen to get a top-tier team for their touring car program and showcase the talent of the graduates of the Leon Supercopa series (98% commitment)
Conditions: Team must sign a SEAT Leon Supercopa driver.

Martini Alfa Corse - Alfa Romeo 156 GTA

Alfa Romeo are looking to continue their storied motorsport heritage, however they'll only do so if either their operations are based in Italy or they have an Italian driver (90% commitment)
Conditions: Team must either be based in Italy or have an Italian driver.

Chevrolet Motorsport - Chevrolet Lacetti

GM are looking to eventually enter the series one way or another, though they're not sure whether to enter just quite yet (75% commitment)
Conditions: Chevrolet would prefer teams based either in the USA, UK or South Korea

Honda Yuasa Racing - Honda Accord

Honda are interested in the series, but aren't quite sure whether the image of the Accord fits with international touring car racing (60% commitment)
Conditions: Teams based in the UK or Japan are preferred.

BP Ultimate Ford Performance - Ford Focus Mk2

Ford are split 50/50 with their decision to either enter Touring Cars, or stick to just Rallying (50% commitment)
Conditions: Teams based in the UK, Germany, USA or Australia are preferred

Lukoil LADA Sport - Lada 110s

LADA are not quite sure whether they are ready to enter Touring Car racing just yet, however a team with experience running Renault/Nissan based programmes may boost their confidence (40% committment)
Conditions: Teams with experience running Renault or Nissan equipment are preferred.

Volvo Cyan Racing - Volvo S60

Volvo aren't very sure that motorsport fits their safety focused image, however they have an eligible car... perhaps an all Swedish team might get them interested (30% commitment).
Conditions: Team must either be based in Sweden or have two Swedish drivers.

Petronas Proton - Proton Impian

Proton are starting on the back foot with a geriatric BTC spec car, and no plans to build a car to S2000 spec - perhaps signing a Malaysian driver might convince Proton to build a new car (20% commitment)
Conditions: Team must have a Malaysian driver.


Factory Team Application Form
Team: (the team applying for manufacturer status - e.g. Simpson Motorsport)
Manufacturer: (the manufacturer you are looking to run)
Base: (city/region and country where the team is based)
Racing History: (short description of your team's racing history - why should the manufacturer support your team?)
Driver 1:
Driver 2:

The deadline for submitting factory applications will be November 28th (23:59 GMT).

More details of independent and regional entries will be posted once factory teams are assigned.

[DemocalypseNow]

I had a gentleman's agreement with Rated regarding Alfa Romeo, and I intend to honour it, but I shall make a bid for them at the moment. If Rated returns before the window closes and applies to them, then I will withdraw my first bid, and my second will then become valid.

Team: Trueba Racing Team
Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
Base: Parma, Italia
Racing History: Since its founding in 2001, Trueba has gone from strength to strength. Formerly an F1RWRS team, they were acquired by Il Barone Rampante in 2014, and then spun out as a separate entity in 2018, soon after IBR's acquisition by Voeckler. With new owner and long-time Trueba employee Giovanni Roda pulling the strings at Scuderia Ferrari, and having inherited the former IBR base in Parma which was responsible for the successful Ferrari GTR programme, they have the knowledge, resources and close contacts with Fiat to run an effective campaign for Alfa Romeo.
Driver 1: Adolfo Moretti [SMR] (ARST 2017 - 2nd, IPC 2018 - 4th)
Driver 2: Antonio Delvecchio [ITA] (IPC 2018 Class B - 3rd)

If Rated applies to manage the Alfa Romeo works squad...
Team: Voeckler Grand Prix Engineering SARL
Manufacturer: Lada
Base: Montlhéry, France
Racing History: VGPE, once known as Ecurie Voeckler, has had a long and storied history with the Renault group. Founded by Jean-Francois Voeckler as a customer Gordini and Alpine team, they went on to form a close bond with Renault, whose son Jeremy-Etienne Voeckler would be Reanult's first F1 junior driver, and go on to be F1 World Champion. The business took on Renault's touring car assault in the late 80s & early 90s, and the portfolio has only grown since. Between the factory ARWS effort - which bore a world title in 2017 - the Formula E programme, the title winning Infiniti touring car programme, winning the FIA Prototype Challenge with the new Voeckler-designed Nissan LMP, and running Renault-Nissan's junior programmes in single seaters, there is no closer association in motorsport than VGPE and the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Drivers: Nothing confirmed yet, but the drivers on our shopping list include Adriana Gabor (ROU), Alexis Tantovich (UKR), Jiri Komarek (CZE), Norbert Michelisz (HUN), Daniil Kvyat (RUS) and Evgeny Restov (RUS).


Also, for anyone considering running the factory SEAT team, the reigning SEAT Supercopa champion for 2018 - Manuarii Vahirua - would be more than happy to offered a place in the team.

[This Could Be You]

Team Name: Larsen Racing System
Manufacturer: Volvo
Team Base: Anderstorp Raceway, Sweden
Racing History: Founded in 1988 by former works Saab WSRC driver Bjorn Larsen, the team made its name running almost exclusively Swedish drivers (including his son Andreas Larsen) in privateer Volvos in the WTCM ( or at least it will soon- funny how canon works like that) so meets both terms set out by Volvo. If that fails, we'll probably enter as a privateer anyway.
Driver 1: Robert Dalgrehn (SWE) or Thed Bjork (SWE)
Driver 2: Aron Kagstrom (SWE) (Confirmed with pi314159)

[SeedStriker]

Team: Union Saver Developments
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Base: Salzburg, Austria
Racing History: As a proud racing stable since the 80's, USD has always aimed not only to be on the vanguard of technology, but to showcase the young raw talent of it's drivers. Former GT champions, with several other teams in open-wheels, tin tops and rallying, we're always up to the challenge. Since the fall of the IPC, USD has been patiently waiting to continue his long-term association with GM/Chevrolet to return to touring cars high competition with former 2017's IPC B-Class champion Artesia Mass and hot shot Shin Ramirez
Driver 1: Artesia Mass
Driver 2: Shin Ramirez

[CaptainGetz12]

Team: Blokkmonsta Team BMW (Blokkmonsta Motorsport)
Manufacturer: BMW
Base: Leipzig, Germany
Racing History: Blokkmonsta has only existed for a few years since its revival in 2017, but in that time the team has made a great impression on tintop racing, most notable in ARST/IPC. With customer BMWs Blokkmonsta took a fairly underdeveloped car and brought it a win an several podiums against veteran drivers and much faster cars. The team performed consistently in the top 10 in the constructors against manufacter teams in ARST/IPC before the series closed its doors. The team also performs in Open-wheel racing, having teams in ARWS, AR 2.0, and AR 3.5, with the team making strong progress in the last year in the latter two.

Having had a tricky relationship with Honda in IPC Blokkmonsta looks to forge a relationship with BMW. Blokkmonsta plans to again run Michael Rohnstock, who is known for punching above his weight, taking many unlikely podiums in IPC, including nearly winning against F1 champion Rhys Davies at Bathurst. Rohnstock also took back-to-back wins at the Macau Touring Masters in its debut running, holding off Ricardo Llosa's works Chevrolet to do so. Joining him would be Lasse Tilkesson, a rallycross driver that quickly made a strong impression in IPC, having been a title contender in independent class for 2017 and showing impressive A-class results that lead to his promotion to Blokkmonsta proper in 2018.
Driver 1: Michael Rohnstock
Driver 2: Lasse Tilkesson

[Normal32]

Factory Team Application Form
Team: Repsol Team SEAT Sport
Manufacturer: Volvo... ehm SEAT
Base: Abrera, Catalonia
Racing History: Since 1985, SEAT Sport has been the main squad of, well, SEAT, with fruitful results in rallying and touring car racing. Thus, we are expected to renew our efforts with the manufacturer for this brand new venture.
Nothing is confirmed regarding drivers, but shall the team get the effort, we have Sandra Cessler (USA) and Manuarii Vahirua (TAH) in our sights, with Cessler being onboard on the venture.

[novitopoli]

Factory team application form:
Team Name: Tsujimura Scuderia
Manufacturer: Honda
Team Base: Yokkaichi, Japan
History: Tsujimura Scuderia is an up-and-coming Japanese outfit which already fields Hondas in FNippon and PES. Although based in Japan, the team also plans to have an auxiliary base in Italy, in order to coordinate its European operation. Tsujimura may not have much history on their books, but has without any doubt a great future to look forward to.
Drivers: TBA/TBA (one of them will probably be Japanese).

(If this doesn't come through, Adriatica will probably enter as a privateer...despite losing its overpowered Subarus)

[Pinkd56]

Team: AIM Foundation
Manufacturer: Ford
Base: Braintree, Essex
Racing History: AIM Foundation's only international experience to date is a handful of appearances in the 2018 GBRC, though in their brief run they showed ability to run near the front and prepare a quick car.

Former STCC and Superstars champion Johan Kristoffersson has indicated that he is interested in driving for the team.

Drivers: TBA/TBA

[TomWazzleshaw]

Team: Melrose Racing Team
Manufacturer: BMW
Base: Cologne, Germany
Racing History: Melrose Racing Team has been in existence since 2012 having purchased the JLD squad in what was then known as ARWS, and has grown to be one of the most successful teams in recent history. Having carried the banner for BMW since their inception, the team has won several titles in F1/ARWS, F2RWRS and F3RWRS, and are race winners in a host of other categories. The team is run by F1 legend Daniel Melrose, who has won multiple drivers' titles himself for BMW in the past.
Driver 1: Jans Zeitner (pending Biscione's approval)
Driver 2: TBA

[V8fan12]

Team: Ziegler Auto Racing
Manufacturer: BMW
Base: Berlin, Germany
Racing History: Having raced in ARST/IPC for two seasons starting in 2017, Ziegler has been at the top flight of the second-tier touring car championships, finishing 14th (Clark) and 11th (Cecep Sugiharto) in 2018 IPC and 10th (Clark) in 2017 ARST. They are looking to make the step up to the top-tier and having raced BMWs since their inception, are looking to continue their strong relationship with the German manufacturer by applying to become their works team in TCWS.
Driver 1: Julian Clark (GBR, 10th in 2017 ARST Privateer Class, 14th in 2018 IPC B-Class)
Driver 2: TBA (a German driver will be approached for this seat)

If I don't get the works team, I'll enter as a privateer

[Gonzalez]

Factory Team Application Form
Team: Repsol Mediterranean Team SEAT Sport (Mediterranean MotorSport)
Manufacturer: SEAT of course
Base: Abrera (Formally Castelldefels 1956-1960, Vilanova (or Vilanueva) i la Geltru 1960-1988, Benicassim 1988-2018*)
Racing History: The Mediterranean Motorsport name first began in existance in 1988 when it took part in the WTCM (Would Touring Car Masters) 1988 season. However the Team's brand dated way back in around 1950 when Garage Business Owner Manuel Bautista founded the Company at his garage in a small town by the seaside called Castelldefels known as Equipo Castelldefels and since then applied to race in the Formula 1 grid in 1956. The campaign was unsuccessful so the team decided to move down to lower categories in F3 and eventually F2 with the results looking more promising.

Since the Team's official inaguration in 1988 it began to expand slowly through to the next 3 decades in which they decided to start up a 2nd team for US and Overseas operations based in Granada called "Carrera Granada".

In 2018 Mediterranean Motorsport entered more series in Italian F4 and North American F4 as well as taking part in the 2018 International Pro Car Championship B-Class with strong Drivers Pedro Renales and James Davies where the team scored a string of strong finishes including 2 wins, racing with their BMW M3 Cars. The drivers finished 8th and 9th overall in the B-Class Championship of IPC.

Although the team originally intended to continue racing with the BMW's, Mediterranean Motorsport have decided to bid to race as a Manufacturer with Spanish Car Manufacturer SEAT where they are looking to easily represent their own Country of Spain which would gain a good relationship with SEAT and possibly for the foreseeable future. The team also strive on two other things:

1. Become one of the Best Racing Teams in Spain
2. Work with Seat Leon Supercopa closely to promote their Drivers up to Touring Car World Series.

The Team have also stated that they will be moving their base to Seat's Racing Base in Abrera, Catalonia if the team successfully wins their bid to race as a manufacturer, also to work closely with SEAT in their neighboring town of Martorell.

Driver 1: TBA
Driver 2: TBA

The team are aiming to retain the services of Pedro Renales who has impressed not only his 2018 IPC campaign but his championship title in the 2017 Lupo GTI Cup which later became the Seat Leon Supercopa.

The team would be happy to offer another GTi Champ Manuarii Vahirua which could mean, a nice strong driver lineup for 2019.


If i don't get it, Mediterranean Motorsport will return as an independent team and will most likely use BMW's again like last season.

[alg2159]

Factory Team Application Form

Team: Peugeot Panthera Compétition

Manufacturer: Peugeot

Base: Montlhéry, France

Racing History:

Panthera Automobiles is a small car manufacturer founded in 1947, that offers a wide range of vehicles powered by combustion engines, and since 2012, supplemented by hybrid and electric engines. Panthera Automobiles is now one of the world leaders in electric cars.

Peugeot is one of the most famous french manufacturer since the nineteenth century. They have had many successes, during decades, in rally, endurance, formula 1, ...
These two car manufacturers want to join forces for the next few years, with a view to a commitment in the Touring Car World Series.
The result of this alliance will form an ambitious team that will aim to represent the French flag as well as possible.

Driver 1:
TBA
Open to offers

Driver 2:
TBA
Open to offers

[pasta_maldonado]

Team: Plus One Group
Manufacturer: Ford
Base: Essex, United Kingdom
Racing History: Despite a short history, Plus One Group have had experience across many rungs of the motorsport ladder. From AR 2.0 to F1RWRS, we've ran and operated teams to a high level of professionalism. The team has been selected to run works teams in the past - we ran the successful Triumph outfit in IPC, and was selected as the Toyota factory operation for the Le Mans Cup. Due to the collapse of both series, we are looking for a new manufacturer association for 2019 and beyond.
Driver 1: Alexis Tantovich (UKR)
Driver 2: Pedro Renales (BRA)

[MinardiFan95]

Time to assign the factory teams:

BMW
BMW had the most applicants for their factory team, with applications from Blokkmonsta, Melrose Racing Team and Ziegler Auto Group. MRT are widely expected to be signed to run the program with their many years of BMW experience, however BMW have not yet ruled out adding new blood to their factory program.

1-24 Blokkmonsta
25-87 MRT
88-99 Ziegler
100 BMW decide to focus all their efforts on developing the E90 for next season

Result: 52 - BMW stick with their longtime partners in Melrose Racing Team


SEAT
SEAT have a couple of Spanish applicants to choose from, including their in house team which formerly competed in WTCC, as well as Mediterranean Motorsport who have had a lot of experience in various categories since their inception in the 1950's.

1-70 SEAT Sport
71-98 Mediterranean Motorsport
99-100 SEAT concentrate on developing the Leon S2000 for next season

Result: 6 - SEAT decide to stick with their in-house team.


Alfa Romeo
Alfa have a single application from Trueba Racing Team, who have the Italian passion and heritage that Alfa Romeo were looking for in a team - though there is still the chance that they decide to concentrate on developing next season's car instead.

1-90 Trueba
91-100 Concentrate on developing the new spec 156 for next season
Result: 45 - Alfa Romeo decide to enter TCWS with Trueba Racing Team.


Chevrolet
Chevrolet were initially hesitant to confirm their plans for the first season of TCWS, however their confidence has been raised by their long time factory partner from GT racing and IPC, Union Saver Developments, submitting an application to run a team.

1-80 - USD
80-100 - Sit out the 2019 season.
Result: 84 - Chevrolet decide to sit out the 2019 season as a factory team, but will allow Union Saver Developments to run a full time customer team to develop the Lacetti.


Ford
Ford have two applications, one from rallycross team AIM Braintree and the other from Plus One Group, who somehow managed to make the Triumph 2000 competitive in IPC. Having two applicants has raised their interest in touring cars, though it is still quite possible that Ford will focus all their efforts on rallying.

1-22 - AIM Braintree
23-60 - Plus One
61-100 - Ford focus on rallying in 2019.

Result: 24 - Ford commit to touring cars and after much consideration between the two candidates they decide to go with Plus One Group.


Honda
Honda have a single application from Tsujimura Scuderia, who have experience running Hondas in Japanese national series.

1-60 - Tsujimura Scuderia
61-100 - Honda concentrate on their Japanese national programs and engine supply for international categories.

Result: 1 - Honda jumped at the opportunity of joining TCWS with Tsujimura Scuderia, signing up straight away.


Volvo
Volvo had stated on multiple occasions that motorsport didn't quite fit with their brand image, however as they had an eligible car they decided to put a tender out for a factory team. Perhaps the strong Swedish lineup presented by Larsen Racing System will convince them otherwise.

1-30 - Larsen Racing System
31-100 - Volvo don't run in TCWS as it doesn't fit with their brand image.
Result: 7 - After stating that they "weren't interested in motorsport", a strong Swedish team in Larsen Racing System convince Volvo change their mind and enter TCWS.

No applications were received for Proton and Stefan Lada's factory application was withdrawn. The Proton Impian and Lada 110S are still available for independent and privateer teams to run.

Independent and Privateer entry forms will be available soon.

[DemocalypseNow]

I can confirm immediately the following appointments;

• Manuarii Vahirua will join SEAT Sport
• Jans Zeitner will join BMW Motorsport
• Adolfo Moretti and Martin McGovern will compose the Alfa Romeo lineup.

For those looking to recruit, the following drivers are currently seeking employment;

• Santiago "Guly" Guglielminpietro (URU) - 2018 IPC Class B Champion
• Antonio Delvecchio (ITA) - 3rd in 2018 IPC Class B (prefers customer Alfa team)

[V8fan12]

For those looking to recruit, the following drivers are currently seeking employment;

• Santiago "Guly" Guglielminpietro (URU) - 2018 IPC Class B Champion
• Antonio Delvecchio (ITA) - 3rd in 2018 IPC Class B (prefers customer Alfa team)

Ziegler Auto Racing would be interested in Guly

EDIT: We will also apply to become a BMW customer team

[SeedStriker]

The only applicant for Chevy and only a privateer team? F-A-K the RNG's BS

[CaptainGetz12]

Blokkmonsta would like to seek a customer contract with BMW since they decided that they did not want us to be their factory team.

[novitopoli]

Honda factory team Tsujimura Scuderia is looking for two drivers with reasonable touring cars experience and a good record for their lineup.

[DemocalypseNow]

Honda factory team Tsujimura Scuderia is looking for two drivers with reasonable touring cars experience and a good record for their lineup.

Guly, last year's Class B champion, is extremely interested in a factory Honda drive.

[novitopoli]

Honda factory team Tsujimura Scuderia is looking for two drivers with reasonable touring cars experience and a good record for their lineup.

Guly, last year's Class B champion, is extremely interested in a factory Honda drive.

And Adr...Tsujimura would be very interested in signing him!

[DemocalypseNow]

Guly is delighted to have renewed his contract with his employers from 20....ahem, sorry, I mean, pen a deal to join Tsujimura for 2019.

[Klon]

Koyomi Setou, IPC title contender and most sophisticated and intelligent racing driver in the world today, is looking for a competitive drive.

[novitopoli]

Koyomi Setou, IPC title contender and most sophisticated and intelligent racing driver in the world today, is looking for a competitive drive.

Tsujimura would be eager to have a Japanese driver in the team.

[Klon]

Koyomi Setou, IPC title contender and most sophisticated and intelligent racing driver in the world today, is looking for a competitive drive.

Tsujimura would be eager to have a Japanese driver in the team.

Then it is a deal.

[Rated]

As ICE-3 Racing was a works and then "semi-works" Alfa Romeo team in IPC, we will go for a customer contract with them. We want to sign Antonio Delvecchio for another year in one of our cars.

[DemocalypseNow]

As ICE-3 Racing was a works and then "semi-works" Alfa Romeo team in IPC, we will go for a customer contract with them. We want to sign Antonio Delvecchio for another year in one of our cars.

Dooooooone.

[SeedStriker]

Since USD will have to do all the development work in a string-shoe budget since GM are such lazy hacks, can I ask to have the Cruze instead of the Lacetti?

[MinardiFan95]

I've decided to cancel the running of this series, due to a combination of a lack of motivation and general unfamiliarity of using GTR2 to run a series (I was never quite happy with how test races were turning out in regards to AI performance).

Apologies to everyone who was eager to see this series go ahead.

[MinardiFan95]

I may end up running a touring car series after all, however it won't quite have the scope of the series I'd planned with GTR2. Instead of using GTR2 (where I could never get the AI to my liking), the new version of this series will use Automobilista which has recently had significant updates to the AI in terms of overtaking ability and awareness of other cars on track.

The only issue with using Automobilsta to run this is that the series will be limited in terms of car selection, as it'll have to use the Copa Petrobras de Marcas series from the game (there are only 6 cars and there will not be any new models able to be added for later seasons).

If this does go ahead, everyone who had a factory team in TCWS will automatically have a 2 car entry in the new series - if the manufacturer you had from TCWS is in the Marcas series, you will get two cars from them, otherwise you are free to pick from any of the 6 manufacturers.