FIA announces TC Lite, a set of technical rules for affordable touring car racing
The FIA has announced a new set of technical regulations for an accessible entry-level touring car class based on existing rally regulations. The new category, called TC Lite, will consist of two sub-classes, TCL4 and TCL5, which will utilize the existing Rally4 and Rally5 regulations to provide competitors with one vehicle suitable for both rally and circuit racing competitions.
This is made possible by an additional supplement that allows the Rally4 and Rally5 class cars to be used for circuit racing with minimal modifications, while the rally homologation remains unchanged. The TC Lite therefore forms the base of the FIA Touring Car pyramid, above which the established TCR class developed by the WSC Group is placed.
One vehicle that can do it all
These adaptations are kept to a minimum to ensure the class remains cost-effective and provides a level playing field for competitors. The goal is to create a car suitable for a variety of motorsport competitions without the need for costly and time-consuming conversions between rally and circuit specifications.
The minimum weights stated in the regulations are adjusted to compensate for the removal of spare wheels, tools and portable fire extinguishers not required for circuit racing, and the addition of FIA-approved racing nets is mandatory. The cars also use full slick racing tyres.
Two subclasses
The TC Lite range consists of two classes. The TCL5 class is for the most accessible entry-level vehicles with a power-to-weight ratio of around 6.0 kg/bhp, while the TCL4 vehicles are a step up in performance with around 5.1 kg/bhp. Both TC Lite class vehicles are equipped with sequential gearboxes.
Alan Gow, Chairman of the FIA Touring Car Commissionsaid: “Introducing a pyramid structure to touring car racing has been a goal of ours for quite some time. TCR is a proven customer racing platform that works well both in national series and world-class touring car racing, but we were missing an accessible entry-level platform. The introduction of the TC Lite ruleset fills that gap. Having the same cars in rally and touring car racing has many benefits. It’s cost-effective, sustainable, provides a level playing field for competitors and creates the opportunity to secure more seat time. At the same time, manufacturers and customer racing programs will be able to grow their business as the market for these cars naturally expands.”
Andrew Wheatley, FIA Road Sports Directorsaid: “The lower tiers of the FIA rally pyramid have proven to be an excellent entry-level class into rallying, so it makes perfect sense to extend the use of these cars and make them compatible with circuit racing. This is similar to how we sometimes saw the same front-wheel drive cars competing in different disciplines back in the Group N days. It’s also good news for drivers early in their careers, who want to spend as much time behind the wheel as possible to develop their skills. Having one car that’s suitable for different types of events offers exactly that. A universal technology platform like this has the potential to attract new people to motorsport and, in the long term, should contribute to increasing participation in motorsport worldwide.”
Strengthening the powers of national sports authorities
The TCL5 sub-class also accommodates Rally5 kit cars, giving national sports authorities the power to homologate cars prepared and approved by domestic tuners for national competitions. This expands the market and provides domestic importers with a space to promote specific car models available in their respective domestic markets.
Positive acceptance by FIA member clubs
The TC Lite concept was presented to FIA World Motor Sport Council members and representatives of FIA Member Clubs from around the world at the FIA Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last month, where it received positive reviews.
“This category will be a great opportunity to get more people involved in motorsports at a lower cost.” This is according to Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice President of Sports for South America. “As a woman, it’s very important to me because it provides an affordable opportunity for women to participate in the sport. We have to make it affordable, so combining two different categories of cars into the same product is a dream.” She added.
“With so much touring car racing happening in North America, this new development provides an opportunity to better organise the touring car championships. Rally4, Rally5 and Rally5-kit are exactly what most countries in the region need.” That’s according to Daniel Coen, FIA Vice President for North American Sports and President of the Automobile Club of Costa Rica.
Manuel Avinho, FIA Vice President for Sporting Affairs in Europe, has explained why the new touring car concept will feature a Rally5 kit. “It’s a good thing that TC Lite has Rally5-kit regulations. It’s a good way to get FIA approval without having to be a manufacturer. [directly involved]. We can do this through our own technical team within ASN. That’s how we have more options in the grassroots category.” He concluded.
“The ease of vehicle approval is the best thing we can offer ASN.” Rodrigo Rocha, FIA Vice President of Sports for Africa and President of Automovel e Touring Clube de Mocambique, agreed. “The easy transition between circuit racing and rallying is about reducing costs. I think the new TC Lite concept is groundbreaking.” He summarized.
“For ASNs, especially new ones, it’s always a challenge to find the right balance between affordability and security. The TC Lite concept is a really good concept for ASNs looking to build a national framework for motorsport, as it’s an affordable and common platform.” This is according to Michael Smith, director of sports and technology at the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
“China is a promising and fast-growing market and TC Lite will lower the barriers for customers to get involved and take a seat in a racing car.” This is according to Cao Shan, a member of the FIA Touring Car Commission, promoter representative of the China Touring Car Championship and also a member of the FIA TC Lite working group.
The regulation appendix is due to be approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council later this year, paving the way for the TCL4 and TCL5 cars to be used in competition from the 2025 season onwards.
