WestCoast Racing sat proudly at the front of the debutant TCR International Series grid at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The opening free practice sessions on Friday (27 March) saw teams and organisers get to grips with the level of performance on offer from the various manufacturer cars. Struggling to keep pace with the rate of development, the Swedish-based outfit implemented several changes on its three new Honda Civic TCR machines in order to speed and slow the cars to balance the performance levels between competitors.

The WestCoast Racing team worked tirelessly in the heat and humidity of Malaysia to prepare its cars for the first of two ten-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday (28 March).

Establishing the 12 quickest drivers, a solid effort by the team saw all three drivers, Gianni Morbidelli, Kevin Gleason and René Münnich, progress to the second shoot-out session.

At the start of the all-important session, American driver Gleason held back in the pit lane, undertaking further set-up changes, whilst Münnich and Morbidelli lapped competitively fifth and sixth respectively.

After some minutes, Gleason joined the fray with enough time for two flying laps, the first banker lap moving into the top ten, before an accomplished lap delivered an unexpected but deserved pole position on his front-wheel drive touring car debut, pipping Andrea Belicchi by two hundredths of a second.

Despite the close result of all the main manufacturers being in close proximity, the organisers saw first to impose a weight penalty of 30kg 40 minutes prior to the start of the race, a decision WestCoast Racing felt unwarranted and unduly late to the effectively set-up cars.

The anticipation of the first TCR race now had an added impetus, as the cars took to the grid just ahead of the Formula 1 Qualifying session to the onlooking crowd, who were interested to see how the new touring car series would unfold.

As the lights went green, Gleason battled to keep Bellichi behind, but it was team-mate Münnich that surprised everybody with an electric start that saw him jump to the lead, as the field headed into the tight and off camber opening corner, only to run wide and slot back into position.

Gleason was able to retain the lead until the final hairpin on the opening tour, as fourth placed Morbidelli remained in contention. However, the effects of added weight were obvious, as the SEAT Cupras bridged a gap to the field on the long straights of the Sepang circuit.

For several laps, Gleason and Morbidelli held close quarter in fourth and fifth position trying to keep pace with the SEATs, and on lap seven of the nine lap race Gleason was back on terms with the Russia’s Sergey Afanasyev, as a typical touring car battle raged. Gleason bravely took a plunge to dispose Afanasyev, before losing grip off-line, allowing team-mate Morbidelli and Andrea Belicchi to pass.

While the action on track was as hot as the air temperatures, Münnich was forced to retire after a promising TCR debut for the German, as the flag fell with Morbidelli and Gleason crossing the line fourth and sixth respectively within touching distance of a podium finish.

After the race, the mood in the WestCoast camp was mixed. Ruing the opportunity to record a better result and feeling slightly hampered by the late weight penalty that drew back the advantage gained in qualifying.

Greger Petersson, WestCoast Sport Promotions Team owner, was vocal in his disappointment in the timing of the change in weight for the Honda TCR, “It’s very frustrating to impose this ruling with just 40 minutes to go before the start of the race. Our crew worked tirelessly in the preparation of the cars and did an exceptional job, so be left without proper time to set up the cars again in the manner that we are accustomed, wasn’t the best for us. I hope that the rules can be reviewed to allow a timeframe for decisions to be properly implemented as the series develops.”

Team Manager, James Nixon, was satisfied with the performance of his crew and drivers, “All in the series are learning and for a first race we did a solid job and the drivers were able to perform well under the circumstances. It has been a very hard environment to work in for the team and one of our mechanics is in the medical centre after suffering from the effects of the heat during the race. So on the whole, with the way we have learnt and developed the Honda over the course of two days, I am very pleased. Finding better and better set-ups and drawing more performance from the car the more time we have with it.”

Morbidelli, the first WestCoast Racing driver over the line in fourth position, reflected using his significant experience as a touring car champion driver, “I was not able to push as hard as I wanted as my balance wasn’t quite as I liked, and with the added weight it didn’t help, but we need more time with the car too make it more balanced and competitive.”

Disappointed not to convert his pole into victory, Gleason said, “I had great fun out there. Sure it was hard gaining the extra weight and I couldn’t really hold back the SEATs on the early laps, but I haven’t had such close racing for years and really enjoyed the battles. I need to work on my touring car racecraft and stop being so nice to the other guys, but that will come with races.”

Münnich said, “I had a great start and was in the lead but ran wide and got pushed out more by the Audi, but it was ok. I had a warning alarm in the car as the race went on, so had to retire, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”

I helgen debuterar WestCoast Racing i det nya touringcarmästerskapet TCR International. Mästerskapet inleds på Sepangbanan i Malaysia där man tävlar tillsammans med Formel 1 i helgen.

WestCoast Racing ser fram emot premiären som man är väl förberedda för efter att WestCoast Racing och Sportpromotion för första gången tillsammans gör en officiell satsning och fullföljer en ambition om en återkomst på den internationella arenan.

Greger Petersson och Sportpromotion började arbeta tillsammans med WestCoast Racings grundare Dick Jönsson Wigroth redan 1980 i ett samarbete som har stärkts sedan dess.

Till 2015 har samarbetet utvecklats ytterligare till en gemensam satsning på det nystartade TCR International Series där man som ett gemensamt team kommer att delta med tre stycken Honda Civic, byggda och utvecklade av JAS Motorsport för det nya TCR reglementet. Italienska storstjärnan Gianni Morbidelli, amerikanska talangen Kevin Gleason och tyske Rene Munnich är teamets tre förare.

TCR International är ett nytt touringcar koncept som startats till 2015 med målet att vara en attraktiv, kostnadsmedveten men samtidigt spektakulär plattform för standardbilsracing. TCR International körs både i Europa och Asien och är bland annat del av Formel 1-paketet i Malaysia, Kina och stadsracet i Singapore.

Med premiären i Malaysia i helgen blir WestCoast Racing det första svenska teamet sedan 1985 som tävlar tillsammans med F1.
– Det här är första gången på 30 år som ett svenskt team deltar under en Formel 1-helg på en internationell nivå, säger Greger Petersson. Senast var det 1985 när DTM var supportrace till F1 och ett svenskt team tävlade med en Volvo 240 Grupp A. Nu exakt 30 år senare är det faktiskt samma team som återvänder under WestCoast Racings namn, nu som deltagare i det nya TCR International Series. Det är ett ögonblick fyllt av stolthet eftersom vi efter att ha uppnått så mycket sedan 80-talet aldrig förväntades oss att någonsin återvända till den här scenen igen. Men när Marcello Lotti presenterade TCR-konceptet som ett kostnadseffektivt och rättvist koncept så kunde inte vi inte låta bli att ta chansen. Det är ett rättvist koncept som tar tillbaka standardvagnsracingen till som det var för 30 år sen. Vi har gjort allt vi kan för att försäkra oss om att vi är konkurrenskraftiga och alla involverade i WestCoast Racings program är övertygade om att vi kommer att vara mycket väl förberedda. Vi har bra förare och ett bra team bakom oss så vi siktar på toppen, det är det enda målet vi kan ha.

History will be made this weekend (28-29 March), as WestCoast Racing will become the first Swedish team in precisely three decades to compete at a Formula 1 World Championship event.

The Halmstad-based operation has an entry in the inaugural TCR International Series and believes it’s “very well prepared” for the season-opening round, which will be held as part of the Malaysian Grand Prix support bill at the spectacular Sepang International Circuit near the majestic city of Kuala Lumpur (28-29 March).

Two heavyweights of Scandinavian motorsport, WestCoast Racing and Sportpromotion, have combined forces for the first time ever, formalising a long-held and shared desire to go racing on the international stage.

Greger Petersson and his company, Sportpromotion, first formed a relationship with WestCoast Racing founder, Dick Jönsson-Wigroth, in 1980 and the bond between the two parties has only strengthened over the decades.

The continued cooperation between the companies has resulted in an attack on the newly-launched TCR International Series as one combined force and the amalgamated outfit will field a trio of Honda Civics, built and developed by JAS Motorsport to the new TCR technical regulations, for Italian ace Gianni Morbidelli, American ‘tin-top’ star Kevin Gleason and Germany’s Rene Munnich.

Hailed as the future of touring car racing, the TCR International Series is a brand new global concept that is designed to be a marketable, profitable and spectacular, yet cost-effective competition platform and boasts a coveted spot on the F1 support package in Malaysia, China and on the floodlit streets of Singapore.

While the opening round of the 2015 TCR season in Malaysia heralds the beginning of an exciting new chapter, WestCoast Racing will also make history as the first Swedish team to appear on the F1 roster since 1985.

“This is the first time in exactly 30 years that a Swedish team competes at a Formula 1 event, at an international level,” said Petersson. “It was in 1985 when the DTM ran in support of F1 that a Swedish outfit made an appearance with a Volvo 240 Group A and, 30 years later, the same guys make a return under the WestCoast Racing banner, this time as a competitor in the new-for-2015 TCR International Series.

“This is a very proud moment because, having achieved so much since the Eighties, we never really expected to get back into this circus again. But, when Marciello Lotti presented the TCR concept as cost-effective and a level playing-field, it was something we couldn’t pass up. Ultimately, it’s a fair concept that will hopefully bring touring cars back to where it used to be 30 years ago. We have applied all available resources to ensure we’re competitive and everybody involved with WestCoast’s programme believe we will be very well prepared compared to many others. We have good drivers and a good team behind us, so we’re going for the top – that’s the only aim.”

Gianni Morbidelli has signed to race under the WestCoast Racing banner in 2015, as the Swedish team steps up to the global stage for the much-anticipated maiden season of the TCR International Series.
WestCoast Racing will run a trio of Honda Civics, built and developed by JAS Motorsport to the new TCR technical regulations, with American racer Kevin Gleason and Morbidelli confirmed for two of the seats.

Morbidelli spent his early career working his way up the single-seater ranks and won Formula 3 titles in Europe and his native Italy in 1989 prior to reaching the heady heights of Formula 1.

The Italian ace had spells with the Minardi, Arrows and Jordan F1 teams, and held a role as Ferrari’s official test and reserve driver during the Nineties, before dovetailing his F1 commitments with campaigns in many of the world’s most prestigious ‘tin-top’ series.

Seasons spent in Italian Superturismo, British Touring Cars, the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and, most recently, the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) were interspersed with title successes in the Italian and International Superstars Championships and the Speedcar Series, and Morbidelli is brimming with confidence and enthusiasm ahead of his forthcoming season with WestCoast Racing, believing he has a very real shot of expanding his already impressive trophy collection.

“I am genuinely excited about joining WestCoast Racing and I will use all of my experience to do the best job possible,” said Morbidelli. “My first impressions of the team, the Honda Civic TCR and the TCR International Series are very good and I’m ready for a new challenge. Everything is new so we’re all starting from zero and, while the car is still in the early stages of development, I believe WestCoast Racing has the ability and the determination to succeed, having met them and tested at Barcelona and Vallelunga. I’m sure they will do a fantastic job.

“I expect the TCR International Series to be very exciting and, as it’s such an interesting concept, I’m sure it will grow. From my point of view, I see it being the future of touring car racing, not only in Europe, but globally, so it is an honour to be involved from the very beginning. On the whole, I feel very optimistic and I would like to thank WestCoast Racing and Greger Petersson for the opportunity to collaborate. I have a good feeling – I’m confident and feel I understand the team’s mentality, so I believe we can hit the ground running.”

WestCoast Racing is a stalwart of the respected Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) and has established itself as a force to be reckoned, having notched up no fewer than five Drivers’ and two Teams’ titles over the course of two decades in the STCC, as well as other successes in the Porsche Carrera Cup, Swedish GTs and ADAC GT Masters in Germany.

However, the Halmstad outfit’s ascent up the motorsport ladder continues and it now has the intention of conquering international motorsport, firstly by fielding a three-car entry in the 2015 TCR International Series – a newly-derived touring car racing concept, designed to be marketable, profitable and spectacular, while keeping a tight grip on costs.

Greger Petersson, Team Principal of WestCoast Racing/Sportpromotion, said: ”We are very happy to welcome Gianni Morbidelli to the team for the very first TCR International Series campaign. He is a very well-known and established driver with lots of experience and success in international racing, achieved over many years. I have no doubt that Gianni’s involvement will boost the team as it takes on really stiff opposition from many established teams and drivers in this thrilling new championship.”

James Nixon, Team Manager of WestCoast Racing, concluded: “In WestCoast Racing’s first year in the TCR International Series, securing a driver of Gianni Morbidelli’s calibre is a very proud moment. By being able to announce such a driver shows the team’s intentions for this championship. Together, we are aiming high.”

The 2015 TCR International Series is due to commence at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the illustrious support package for the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (29 March) and will tour many of the world’s greatest motorsport venues in Europe, South America and Asia.

WestCoast Racing is delighted to announce that American racer Kevin Gleason will form one third of its attack on the inaugural season of the highly-anticipated TCR International Series.
WestCoast Racing was created in 1994 by Dick Jönsson-Wigroth and has gone on to establish itself as the world’s leading Swedish touring car team by accumulating several championship titles over the course of two decades in the highly esteemed Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC).

Five Drivers’ and two Teams’ titles make WestCoast Racing the most successful STCC team ever, although it has reigned supreme in other high profile forms of motor racing, including the Porsche Carrera Cup, Swedish GTs and German ADAC GT Masters in recent years.

Naturally, with such a remarkable record, the Halmstad-based operation has high standards and lofty ambitions, and it will continue striving for perfection and pursuing spectacular results when it embarks on a brand new programme in the fledgling TCR International Series.

A brand new global touring car racing concept, the TCR International Series is designed to be marketable, profitable and a spectacular, yet cost-effective competition platform and will encompass 12 rounds, including three slots on the Formula 1 support package in Malaysia, China and the floodlit streets of Singapore.

WestCoast Racing will field a trio of Honda Civics built and developed to the new TCR technical regulations by JAS Motorsport and the team has today confirmed that American wheelman, Kevin Gleason, will join the fold for the inaugural TCR season in 2015.

With a background in US-based touring cars, Gleason has demonstrated skill and adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between different specifications of racecar and accumulating various high profile race victories along the way.

The Business Management graduate’s key achievements include a win in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge VIR 13 Hour and the 2014 ADAC Nürburgring 6 Hours, and the Pennsylvanian is relishing the opportunity of contesting a full season in the TCR International Series under the WestCoast Racing banner.

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of the WestCoast Racing team for the inaugural TCR International Series season,” said Gleason. “The team is well proven and brings a vast array of experience that I’m sure will help see it quickly adapt to the new challenge it faces in 2015. Beyond the team itself, I expect the Honda Civic TCR to be a competitive package, especially with the support of JAS Motorsport and Mugen. I look forward to building these relationships into a successful campaign.

“The TCR International Series, meanwhile, is brand new so it’s difficult to have any expectations. I believe the vision of creating a worldwide platform with a cost sensitive structure is a great idea that will help grow touring car racing globally. I’m just excited to be contesting a full season for the first time since 2011 and I am looking to soak up as much information as possible and apply it to maximise my chances for success. Let’s start off with scoring points and build on that.”

WestCoast Racing Team Manager, James Nixon, said: “WestCoast Racing is delighted to welcome Kevin Gleason to the team. His pace and hunger to succeed is very apparent and that was a big appeal when we started our conversations. The TCR International Series is the ideal category to start a full season campaign and to perfect his racecraft on some of the best tracks in the world. I have no doubt Kevin will soon be a name we all know and remember in touring cars.”

The 2015 TCR International Series is due to commence at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the illustrious support package for the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (29 March) and will tour many of the world’s greatest motorsport venues in Europe, South America and Asia.