The FIA World Touring Car Cup organisation has confirmed a revised 2020 calendar, featuring races in Europe only due to the travel restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The priority has always been to run as many races as possible to protect the WTCR, protect jobs and protect the sport at a time when there is no clear visibility in terms of how the pandemic will evolve and what decisions governments will take. To commit to races outside Europe required certainties that were very uncertain to obtain," said François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR promoter.
Lynk & Co Cyan Racing will be on the grid with four Lynk & Co 03 TCR race cars when the season will kick off on September 12-13 at Salzburgring in Austria, followed by the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife on September 24-26.
October will feature two back-to-back races with Slovakiaring on October 10-11 and Hungaroring on October 17-18.
The two final races of the season will take place in Spain and Italy, with MotorLand Aragón on November 1st and the season finale at Adria International Raceway on November 14-15.
A return to Asia is planned for 2021.
“The events in Asia have been pivotal to the success of WTCR and we thank the events in China, Macau, Malaysia and South Korea, plus Honda, Hyundai and Lynk & Co for their support and understanding," said Ribeiro.
"Of course, we would like nothing more than for life to return to normal, but we have to be sensible. If we further delay the decision to cancel the Asia leg into June, I can guarantee there will not be any spare slots at European tracks later in the year due to the huge amount of rescheduling that’s required, not just by WTCR but the many other events, series and championships.
"We must also be realistic: the economic impact caused by COVID-19 is massive and will hurt motorsport for a long period, so the running cost reduction is not only an obligation for 2020, but it will also be a priority for 2021.”
2020 WTCR calendar
WTCR Race of Austria (Salzburgring, 12-13 September), 2 races
WTCR Race of Germany (Nürburgring Nordschleife, 24-26 September), 2 races
WTCR Race of Slovakia (Slovakia Ring, 10-11 October), 3 races
WTCR Race of Hungary (Hungaroring, 17-18 October), 3 races
WTCR Race of Spain (MotorLand Aragón, 31 October-1 November), 3 races
WTCR Race of Italy (Adria International Raceway, 14-15 November), 3 races