Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourer
Clearly the initial plan was to throw oodles of financial support at it, buy cars, fund drivers etc so that it kicked off with more cars/teams/drivers than would be the case if it was grown organically. Typically, for most new series, there are many interested competitors who "sit on the fence" waiting to see how the series goes before commiting high levels of finance and time to it (understandable) and in any case, some track record makes sponsor discussions more effective.
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There was no doubt they threw the kitchen sink at it and if 2020 had been normal they probably would have transitioned to a more normal arrangement, but obviously it wasn't, didn't, and Brian Boyd left with his money.
The first season really did look impressive and it is a shame, now they have a lower base and a couple of strong teams, but unfortunately in the intervening period eTCR has risen up, car manufacturers are announcing the end date of IC engines, and a sizable number of shops are no longer developing their cars.
So to coin a phrase, TCR will start to look like a "second hand car yard" and this diminishes the value of the vehicles and the overall series itself.
It is starting to feel a little bit like Supertouring after 1995, a couple of strong, front running teams (who own part of the series), and the rest a motley crew of plucky independents.
We have to see what a full, uninterrupted season looks like.
We should at least have current Audi, Honda and (sort of) Hyundai, plus the rest, and there are plenty of cars in sheds.