After a long enforced break, the TCR Europe Touring Car Series season will get underway at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet in the south of France this weekend. Tom Coronel is flying the flag for The Netherlands in this highly regarded touring car competition as, like last year, he will be participating with a Honda Civic Type R TCR run by renowned Belgian team, Boutsen Ginion Racing. Once again, the car is sporting the familiar yellow and red colours of partner DHL. « I am looking forward to being able to race again and to continue the good co-operation with Boutsen Ginion Racing and Honda I have had for several years already, » Coronel says.
With 24 drivers from eleven countries and cars from five different brands in the field, there is no lack of variety in TCR Europe this year. « A good battle is guaranteed! Moreover, there are drivers on the grid I have known for years from other series such as the now-defunct WTCC or WTCR. Pepe Oriola, Mehdi Bennani, John Filippi: all of them drivers I have been racing with for years and will now be meeting again here, » Coronel points out.
The Dutch driver is glad that the enforced break has come to an end: « Thankfully, I have already been able to compete in a few real races the past weeks. Of course, the sim events were a great substitute in the time when Covid-19 was at its peak, but for me, nothing beats real, actual racing in a car with four wheels, a competition engine and at an actual circuit against other drivers. Together with the team Boutsen Ginion Racing, I have spent a lot of time on the best possible preparation in recent weeks. We are continuing with the Honda Civic Type R TCR, we are racing with starting number 31, just like in WTCR and we only have one car in the team, so the full focus is there. »
Once again, Coronel can count on the active support from his long-standing partners with DHL at the forefront. « Especially in challenging times like these, it is good to know that such partners keep backing me. On top of that, we even have been able to welcome some new partners for this season. The livery on the car remains familiar with yellow and red, » the driver says.
Of course, Tom Coronel’s achievements in TCR competition can be watched again on Dutch TV channel RTL7 as a part of the WTRC-World Tom Coronel Racing TV show. Nine broadcasts of 40 minutes each are planned with plenty of attention for the races in the TCR Europe Touring Car Series with the Honda Civic. The broadcasts will be repeated, too, bringing the total number to 18. The races can also be watched live on YouTube and Tom Coronel’s various social media channels.
For Coronel, his participation in FIA WTCR was decided upon at an earlier stage already which has its effect on the race programme in the European competition. « In TCR Europe, I can participate in three events: at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend, then at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps on 24th October and the season finale at Jarama in Spain on 8th November, » Tom Coronel says. « The other three rounds on the calendar are clashing with FIA WTCR events and that programme was in place fore me earlier, but I am glad that I can at least compete in these races! Given the Covid-19 situation, we have to follow all kinds of additional requirements, including wearing face masks. That was already the case in races I have participated in during the past weeks, but you get used to it. So, all in all, good that everything is returning to action again. I can’t wait! »