WestCoast Racing is still riding high from achieving a spectacular one-two-three finish during the TCR International Series’ visit to Shanghai and has hopes of carrying its winning momentum when the championship makes its European debut on Spanish soil at Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo (1-3 May).
The Halmstad-based team built a formidable reputation by conquering the Scandinavian motorsport scene and is proud to be representing Sweden on the global stage, at the fore of the world’s most modern touring car platform, the TCR International Series.
Gianni Morbidelli led a WestCoast Racing podium lockout when TCR ran in support of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC) earlier this month.
However, the team is cautious about its prospects for the forthcoming weekend as it is yet to test the effects of a realignment in the Balance of Performance (BoP) and an additional 30kgs of success ballast on the Italian’s Honda Civic.
Kevin Gleason, meanwhile, first stamped his authority by securing pole position for the championship’s first ever race in Malaysia back in March and going on to stand on the third step of the podium at the end of a battling weekend in Shanghai.
Both drivers will be hoping to continue their winning form as Ukrainian Igor Skuz joins them in the WestCoast fold for the TCR International Series’ European debut on Spain’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo, near the port city of Valencia.
Gleason said: “Shanghai was a really successful weekend for WestCoast Racing as a whole and it’s really positive to get such strong results at this early stage of the season, as it shows that the team’s hard work really has paid off. Expectations were relatively low for Shanghai and yet a one-two-three result was achieved, so that really inspires confidence. I had faith in WestCoast Racing from the moment I started work with the team and, having spent two race weekends with them, my confidence has only grown.
“Of course, all of the circuits on the 2015 TCR International Series calendar are new to me, while other drivers might be familiar with them. It’s difficult to set any targets as a result and I’ll hopefully get some solid testing time to understand how the Honda Civic TCR is going to get on and find the car’s sweet spot. Since shaking down the car at Monza, we’ve taken positive strides with the car in terms of handling and driveability, but it’s still new to the team, Mugen and the drivers. We’re all on a big learning curve together.”
WestCoast Racing Team Principal, Greger Petersson, said: “For Shanghai, our expectations weren’t so high and yet we went on to dominate. However, we are carrying more weight for many reasons in Valencia and we go to Circuit Ricardo Tormo in the heart of SEAT country, where the SEAT teams have conducted a great deal of testing, expecting them to be the favourites for race wins. Clearly Shanghai was a fantastic weekend and I hope we can pull off some surprises again – we will do everything in our power to surprise.”
TCR International Series free practice is scheduled for 9.00 and 14.00 CET on Friday (1 May), with additional test sessions at 10.00 and 12.30 CET the following day (Saturday 2 May).
The two-part qualifying session follows at 15.00 CET on Saturday, while Rounds 5 and 6 will take place at 12.35 and 14.05 CET respectively on Sunday (3 May).
For more information on WestCoast Racing, please visit the officialwww.westcoastracing.se website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page and follow@WestCoast Racing on Twitter.