TCR cars have been added to the California 8 Hours, which will expand into a four-class format for the Oct. 26-28 enduro at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Intercontinental GT Challenge season finale is expected to feature more than 30 total entries across the GT3, GT4, GT Cup and now TCR categories, including the emerging global touring car platform for the first time in a SRO-run event.

Its inclusion comes courtesy of the event’s partnership with Pirelli World Challenge, which launched a TCR class in its sprint race series this year.

At least five TCR entries are expected, alongside nearly 20 GT3 cars that have either already been confirmed or in the process of finalizing plans, plus up to a dozen GT4 cars.

Among the GT3 teams already committed to the IGTC round include full-season entrants WRT (Audi), Strakka Racing (Mercedes-AMG), Manthey Racing (Porsche) and Bentley Team M-Sport.

The race is also expected to see a large contingent of U.S.-based teams, in addition to full-season entrant Black Swan Racing, with entries from TruSpeed Autosport, WeatherTech Racing and DXDT Racing all provisionally entered.

PWC GTS teams GMG Racing, M1GT Racing, PF Racing, TRG, Rearden, Ian Lacy Racing, Racers Edge Motorsports and Robinson Racing, meanwhile, are among the early entries for GT4, alongside the previously confirmed efforts from RHC Strom and Classic BMW.

“Initial feedback for the second edition of the Laguna Seca Raceway California 8 Hours sounds very promising, and there’s no doubt the event is growing in stature in the context of an expanding Intercontinental GT Challenge,” said SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“It’s imperative that North America has a major race where GT cars compete for overall victory, while the Pirelli World Challenge also requires a much-needed blue riband event that brings together its GT, GTS and TCR classes.

“I strongly believe Laguna Seca has the potential to achieve both of these aims.”

WC Vision President and CEO Greg Gill added: “The increased grid is being driven by European teams, as well as U.S.-based teams who wish to race in a global race with some of the best sports car brands, drivers and teams on the planet, at one of North America’s most beloved tracks.

“This second annual event has the potential to become one of the more iconic stops on the Intercontinental GT Challenge circuit.”