In the second part of our interview with newly-inducted TCR UK COO, David Sonenscher, we discussed with him about his plans for the forthcoming 2019 season

This was as well as his thoughts on the new ETCR program, which has seen the likes of CUPRA make good their intentions to the new platform for the TCR concept.

Downforce UK: The TCR UK Series completed its first season with a maximum of fourteen cars entered at one event during last year. With other series such as Germany and Italy witnessing entries of over 20 cars in recent seasons, how do you see entry growth taking place with the UK Series this year?

David Sonenscher: To be honest, it’s early for me to try and answer this question. What I would like to see are around fifteen full-time entries, with additional entries appearing on a round-by-round basis during the season.

If we can achieve that then I see that as a success story for this season. However, this year is about getting stability to the series and to improve the show for the drivers, teams and fans to enjoy further.

DFUK: With TCR UK coming into its second season this year, what changes do you have in store to try and improve the show in a country that already has such a strong touring car presence in the BTCC?

DS: This year we’re offering a revised calendar that gives competitors the chance to race at some of the best circuits in the UK as well as a chance to race at Spa-Francorchamps. This also offers them an opportunity to see how they rate against the TCR Europe competitors in the same conditions at Spa-Francorchamps.

I wanted to bring something to the existing teams and drivers who can be a part of a series that gives confidence to them after the first year to return and have another go. I’m also offering something cost-effective and new to competitors who want to join the series and be a part of this new championship.

I’ve spoken with several TV companies about how we can spread the TV product further this year, as well as using Social Media more to promote the series further. We’re also engaging with the manufacturers as well to get them more involved.

DFUK: With ETCR coming in 2020 and further national and international competition taking place, where do you see the TCR Concept in five years time?

DS: ETCR is a huge new project for us and I think it’s going to be very exciting as a first-ever fully global electric touring car series. The manufacturers are very excited about this series and are embracing this new TCR concept.

We’ve learnt lessons from four years of TCR competition and we know how to bring a great product to the table. At the same time, we’ll also be developing national and regional competition with the current petrol-powered cars to maintain the customer racing spectacle.

We’re looking forward to continuing exciting racing on all levels in the next few years on all levels.

A very exciting time for TCR UK, which heads back into competition this coming April at Snetterton, with the second season set to conclude at Donington Park in October. We are very much looking forward to seeing who will fill out the grid and provide exciting action as the TCR concept has continued to provide over the past few seasons thus far.

We’d like to thank David himself for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to Downforce UK at the NEC, providing such a welcome insight into his plans for TCR UK itself for 2019, along with the varying aspects of TCR itself.

A big thank you also goes to TCR UK Communications Co-Ordinator Mark James, for his assistance in arranging this interview.

Photo Credit: © TCR UK Series Ltd.