Rating the new series of 2018…

Last year’s new series enjoyed mixed success, with some attracting nearly full grids while others struggled to get into double figures

TCR UK ★★ ☆☆☆

At this point last year, some in the motorsport world questioned whether TCR UK was going to happen at all, as the initial buzz about the category had died right down and some teams were selling cars rather than buying them. But, to the organisers’ credit, a respectable 13 cars did indeed line up on the grid for that inaugural race at Silverstone.

That proved to be one of the high points of the season, however. Rather than gaining drivers as the year progressed, it lost a few. And there were several blunders during the season – some of which were organisational faults, others outside of their control – that didn’t help the series’ image. The cars being sent out onto the Knockhill circuit with the grid order still not decided, Laser Tools Racing’s blistering criticism of the organisation and just eight cars turning up at Croft were all low points.

But reigning British Touring Car champion Ash Sutton’s guest appearance at Oulton Park was a coup – as was an intriguing title battle at the Donington Park finale, despite Dan Lloyd’s early season dominance.

Now changes in personnel in the organising team are planned and a refreshed calendar, that includes an attractive Spa tie-up with

TCR Europe, has been revealed.

There’s no denying that 2019 is a crunch year for TCR UK. It’s often cited that TCR Germany had a difficult first campaign (although its smallest field was still 16 cars) but then hit the big time in year two with grids of up to 40 cars. TCR UK needs to make a similar jump this year in order to secure a long-term future.