C360R Confirms First TCR Car for PWC

Image: C360R

C360R has announced the first professional race program for a TCR car in North America, confirming a single-car Audi RS 3 LMS USA Clubsport for Paul Holton in Pirelli World Challenge.

Holton will pilot the No. 71 Audi in the TC class, which will allow TCR-based cars this year as part of the integration of the emerging global touring car platform into the sprint race championship.

The program comes in partnership with Pfaff Automotive Partners.

“Pfaff has been a simply incredible partner over the past few seasons, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to be one of the first teams to compete with this new Audi RS 3 LMS,” said C360R team owner Karl Thomson.

Holton, who competed in the Audi TT Cup in Europe last year, is looking forward to the new challenge ahead, in the North American debut of Audi’s newest mass-produced race car.

“Racing in TT Cup last year gave me a lot of seat time getting this front-wheel-drive car into the sweet spot, and I expect we will be competitive right out of the box, especially with support of Brad Kettler and the folks at Audi Sport customer racing,” he said.

According to Thomson, the Audi will run in slightly different configuration than a standard TCR car, with smaller brakes and a detuned ECU, in order to integrate it into the existing TC class, prior to the launch of a standalone TCR class with full-spec cars in 2018.

The TC portion of the 2017 season kicks off at Virginia International Raceway next month.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John