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46-552: The TC2000 ( Turismo Competición 2000 , formerly Súper TC2000 ) is a touring car racing series held in Argentina since 1979. Prior to 2012, engines of up to 2,000 cubic centimetres (120 cu in) were allowed, with only limited modifications from standard engines. This was both to reduce running costs, and give a level playing field to every team. Variable valve timing , variable intake geometry, anti-lock braking systems and traction control are all forbidden. From

92-729: A common design. Touring car racing is also referred to as saloon car racing . Worldwide Modern World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) started in 2005 , evolving from the reborn European Touring Car Championship . The series merged with the TCR International Series and became the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) starting from 2018 . In 2023 , the WTCR was replaced by the TCR World Tour . Running at major international racing facilities, this series

138-486: A drag-reduction system (DRS) designed to encourage overtaking. More than 20 works-backed entries of the Opel Astra , Audi TT and Mercedes-Benz CLK contested the revived 2000 DTM series but a serious issue developed for the series when Opel pulled out ahead of the 2006 season. BMW would eventually replace Opel as the series' third manufacturer for 2012, while Mercedes-AMG withdrew at the end of 2018. Mercedes-AMG

184-689: A few in Denmark . The most successful car makes were Volvo, BMW, Audi, and Nissan. In 2010 the championship merged with the Danish Touringcar Championship to form the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship . The 2010 champion was Robert Dahlgren , because he had achieved the best results from selected races in the Danish and Swedish championships. Rickard Rydell and Johan Kristoffersson won

230-451: A much easier time passing than in open-wheel racing , and the more substantial bodies of the cars makes the subtle bumping and nudging for overtaking much more acceptable as part of racing. As well as short sprint races, many touring car series include one or more endurance races , which last anything from 3 to 24 hours and are a test of reliability and pit crews as much as car, driver speed, and consistency. Touring car racing started in

276-480: A non-championship race at Fuji Speedway along with the full GT500 grid, labelled the 'SUPER GT x DTM Dream Race'. Aston Martin withdrew from the event as they intended to focus on developing the Vantage package for 2020, however this never eventuated as the program was ended. Audi announced in late April 2020 that they would be discontinuing their involvement in the series after the end of the 2020 season, following

322-402: A second seat (although they are rarely fitted any more). While rules vary from country to country and series to series, most series require that the competitors start with a standard car body , but virtually every other component may be allowed to be heavily modified for racing, including engines, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires. Aerodynamic aids are sometimes added to the front and rear of

368-510: A second-tier championship with the name TC2000 , currently with an independent calendar. The V8 engines were finally replaced from the year 2019 by new provider, the French manufacturer Oreca , these being 2.0 litres (120 cu in) turbocharged 4-cylinder in-line . In 2022, the series changed its name again. The Super TC2000 got its name back from the TC2000 and the TC2000 was renamed

414-403: A trophy. In Australia, Supercars enjoys a strong support base that is still driven in large part by the tribal Ford versus Holden battle. Over 200,000 total spectators attend the four-day Adelaide 500 and Bathurst 1000 events, and the 2019 Bathurst 1000 drew a maximum of 2.36 million television viewers across the country. This compares favourably with other major sporting events such as

460-573: A variety of touring cars of different sizes and engine displacements to race together, from the small Fiat 600 and Mini to the large Jaguar Mark 2 and Mercedes-Benz 300SE In 1963 races and hillclimbing events at Nürburgring , Mont Ventoux , Brands Hatch , Mallory Park , Zolder , Zandvoort , Timmelsjoch and even in the Népliget (People's Park) in Budapest counted towards the ETCC, which

506-457: A year of running its Nissan Altimas privately, Supercars reverted to a two-make Ford vs. Holden competition. Different sets of regulations do apply: European Touring Car Championship The European Touring Car Challenge , as it was originally known, was created in 1963 by Willy Stenger at the behest of the FIA. Cars competed under FIA Group 2 Improved Touring Car regulations which allowed

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552-468: Is supported by BMW , SEAT and Chevrolet . The latter fields a works team, whereas the other two only sell racing kits to be installed on their cars, providing technical support to their customers. In 2011, Volvo also entered the championship, fielding a one-car team as an evaluation for a possible heavier commitment to the series. The World Touring Car Championship features 1.6-litre cars built to Super 2000 regulations based on FIA Group N . Following

598-583: The 2016 season manufacturer team entries came from BMW, Subaru , MG , and Honda . Since BTCC budgets have been kept relatively low, there is a strong independent and privateer presence in the championship. Manufacturers represented by privateers include Vauxhall , Ford , Toyota , Volkswagen , Chevrolet, and Audi . Prior to 2001 the BTCC was contested by cars built to 2.0-litre supertouring regulations and had in its heyday up to nine different manufacturers. Joachim Winkelhock stated on several occasions that it

644-605: The 2020 season , while Ford returned for the 2019 season with the Mustang project. The Commodore will be replaced with a Chevrolet Camaro , which will be sold in Australia by General Motors Specialty Vehicles. Other manufacturers have also appeared in the series, including Nissan with Kelly Racing , Volvo with Garry Rogers Motorsport , and Mercedes-Benz in a non-factory-supported program from Erebus Motorsport . With Kelly Racing's switch to Ford Mustangs for 2020 after

690-730: The AFL Grand Final with 2.2 million TV viewers in 2019 . Supercars is also popular in New Zealand , with a regular round formerly held in the country (previously held at Pukekohe ) being the only international event on the series calendar. Attempts at further international expansion were made in China , Malaysia , the Middle East , and the United States during the 2000s and 2010s, none of which have survived. As

736-581: The Next Generation Touring Car specification, from 2011 , started a phased transition from Super 2000 cars in an effort to cut costs and improve the sport. Germany/Europe The DTM series, the initials standing for Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft until 1996, then following a hiatus, revived as Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2000, features advanced purpose built 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-powered space frame machines, covered with largely carbon fibre bodyshapes resembling

782-566: The 'fastest touring cars in the world' racing at speeds that can reach nearly 300 km/h. They are also the most expensive touring cars in the world with each car costing in excess of $ 1 million (AUD) which includes bespoke $ 250,000 (AUD) 5.0-litre V8 engines producing approximately 635 hp (473 kW). The current formula was devised in 1993 (based on Group A regulations) and branded as 'V8 Supercars' in 1997 and 'Supercars' in 2016. The series features grids of approximately 25 cars, although selected events feature wildcard entries which add to

828-528: The 2012 season, Radical Performance Engines will provide 2.7 litres (160 cu in) RPE TCX V8 engines (a front-wheel-drive variant of the RPX, originally found in the Radical SR8 ), capable of producing 430 brake horsepower (320 kW), in place of the previous 2 litres (120 cu in) engines. The series was renamed to Súper TC2000 . Meanwhile, cars with the old regulation continue competing as

874-564: The Japanese sports car series Super GT which runs a near identical set of rules and regulations in its GT500 class. Honda, Toyota – represented via Lexus , and Nissan each entered a wildcard entry for the final race of the 2019 season at the Hockenheimring . The cars entered were a Nissan GT-R (R35), a Lexus LC 500 and a Honda NSX . For the weekend of the 22nd-24 November, DTM sent three BMW M4s and four Audi RS5s to take part in

920-602: The NLS series of ten typically four-hour-long races. Cars range from old 100 hp (75 kW) road legal compacts to 500 hp (370 kW) Porsche 996 and even modified DTM cars (1,250 kg (2,760 lb)). Most entrants of the 24 Hours Nürburgring collect experience here. Sweden/Denmark Between 1996 and 2010 the Swedish Touring Car Championship contained various races in Sweden and

966-654: The TC2000 Series. The technical regulations of the 2024 season: Factory teams: Private teams: Touring car racing Touring car racing is a motorsport road racing competition that uses race prepared touring cars. It has both similarities to and significant differences from stock car racing , which is popular in the United States . While the cars do not move as fast as those in formula or sports car races, their similarity both to one another and to fans' own vehicles makes for well-supported racing. The lesser use of aerodynamics means following cars have

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1012-480: The UK with cars built to Next Generation Touring Car specification, with ballast being used to equalise performance. From 2011 , cars that ran to the BTCC's own Next Generation Touring Car specification were eligible to compete in a phased move away from Super 2000 regulations. Cars are 2.0-litre saloons , station wagons and hatchbacks with over 350 bhp (260 kW) and can be front or rear-wheel drive. During

1058-1055: The United Kingdom. Starting in 2010 the ETCC will once again become a multi event racing series. Four events of two races each are set to be held in Portugal, Italy, Austria and Germany at the Circuito Vasco Sameiro in Braga, the Autodromo Bonara in Franciacorta, the Salzburgring in Salzburg and the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Oschersleben, respectively. However, on 25 Mar 2010, fiawtcc.com reported that

1104-553: The cars. Regulations are usually designed to limit costs by banning some of the more exotic technologies available (for instance, many series insist on a control tire that all competitors must use) and keep the racing close (sometimes by ballast weight where winning a race requires the winner's car to be heavier for subsequent races). Touring cars share some similarity with American stock car racing governed by NASCAR . However, touring cars are, at least notionally, derived from production cars while today's NASCAR vehicles are based on

1150-542: The championship in 2011 and 2012 , in a Chevrolet and a VW , respectively. In 2013 the series merged with the TTA – Racing Elite League to form the 2013 STCC – Racing Elite League season , starring 17 drivers for Volvo, BMW, Saab , Citroën , Dacia , and Honda. Australia and New Zealand Formerly the Australian Touring Car Championship , Supercars are recognised internationally as

1196-658: The decline in sales and eventual discontinuation of the Falcon in 2016 and Commodore in 2020 (the two models that exclusively competed in the V8 formula from 1993 to 2012). Ford withdrew all financial support after 2015 , and Holden cut most of its support back to only the Red Bull Holden Racing Team from 2017. Holden was shut down as a brand during 2020, ending its factory involvement in Supercars after

1242-416: The former year also this one was very fought and attractive riveting thanks to the battle between Alfa drivers' Giovanardi and Larini and Honda driver Tarquini. Tarquini won 9 of 20 races, compared with the 3 victories each by Giovanardi and Larini, but lost the title to Giovanardi due to several retirements that he had during the season. In 2002, due to high costs FIA decided to let Super Touring make way for

1288-547: The grid. The cars are currently based on the Ford Mustang GT and Holden Commodore (ZB) The minimum weight for a Supercar including driver is 1,395 kg (3,075 lb). The Commodore will be replaced by a Chevrolet Camaro in 2022. The race cars themselves are derived from production body panels and space frame chassis. Both body styles feature an aerodynamic package incorporating large front and rear wings designed to ensure equal aerodynamic performance between

1334-488: The manufacturers' road machine (although the roof and roof pillars do originate from the production car). In order to lower costs, the engine power is limited to 610 hp (450 kW), and transmissions, brakes and tyres (Hankook) are standard parts for all. Also, dimensions and aerodynamics are equalised. The approx. 985 kg (2,172 lb) (without driver) DTM cars corner incredibly quickly and wear spectacular bodykits incorporating huge wheel arches and diffusers, plus

1380-403: The mid twentieth century as a long-format style of competition that took place on public roads between numerous towns. The cars were crewed by a driver and, because of their unreliability, a mechanic who carried tools and spares. The legacy of these beginnings can still be seen in modern touring and GT cars – the driver sits offset from the centreline of the car and there is space for

1426-428: The new class Super 2000 and named the new series FIA ETCC, using Super 2000 rules. This new category provoked much interest and saw participation from Alfa Romeo 156 GTA and BMW 320i , Volvo S60 and SEAT Toledo Cupra . Alfa Romeo won the first two championships with Fabrizio Giovanardi and Gabriele Tarquini while in the last season the title was won by Andy Priaulx and his BMW. The series became popular with

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1472-417: The old Group 2. Following the 1973 oil crisis the next two seasons had few entrants. It was only in 1977 that the situation was normalised with the return of factory teams. Rules allowed Group 2 and Group 1B "National" cars to compete together, with BMW 3.0 Coupé CSL and Capri RS remaining the most competitive entries. In 1982, the FIA replaced Groups 1 and 2 with Group N and Group A . The first one

1518-464: The only international touring car races during those years. With the success and popularity of Supertouring in many national championships, the FIA organised the one-round Super Touring World Cup for these cars, between 1993 and 1995. In 1996, the FIA promoted the DTM , which already had races outside Germany in its calendar, to International Touringcar Championship (ITC), but once more escalating costs ended

1564-521: The public due to the intense competition and Eurosport live broadcasts. For this reason in 2005, the ETCC was promoted to WTCC status. The European Touring Car title was given from 2005 until 2009 to a once a year European Touring Car Cup , with the best representatives from national championships running to Super 2000, Super Production and Super 1600 regulations in the Baltic States, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Sweden and

1610-412: The same path Mercedes-Benz did after the end of the 2018 season; focusing on electric motorsport, most notably Formula E . This will leave BMW as the sole manufacturer left, putting the series' future in serious jeopardy. Germany Since 1997, and nowadays still on the over 20 kilometres (12 mi) long famous old Nürburgring and other circuits worldwide, in average over 150 touring cars compete in

1656-746: The series after two seasons. In 2000, the Italian Superturismo Championship was promoted to Euro STC . The series was made up mostly of Italian drivers from the former Italian Campeonato Superturismo and teams plus some other coming from the German Super Tourenwagen Cup . In the first season of Euro STC, six rounds were in Italy while the other four were in Austria, (A1 Ring), Hungary (Hungaroring), Czech Republic (Brno) and Slovenia (Ljubljana). The series

1702-444: The series has grown, major international motorsport organisations have become involved such as Team Penske , Andretti Autosport , United Autosports and Triple Eight Race Engineering . Both Ford and Holden financially and technically supported their favoured teams and took an active role in promotion of the series from its beginning, but began to wind back and ultimately withdraw their financial commitments approximately in line with

1748-401: The series' revival in 2000. Engine power was increased from ~500 hp to 610 hp, with an extra 30 hp available as part of a push-to-pass system available to drivers for the first time. Downforce levels were also reduced to encourage overtaking and increase top speeds to 300 km/h (186 mph) in order to improve the racing spectacle. In 2019, DTM formed a partnership with

1794-561: The trend of recent FIA rules, cost control is a major theme in the technical regulation. In 2011 the rules concerning the engine capacity have changed, switching from 2000 cc to 1600 cc turbo engines. Cars equipped with the old 2000 cc engines are still eligible in the championship. Many technologies that have featured in production cars are not allowed, for example: variable valve timing, variable intake geometry, ABS braking and traction control . United Kingdom The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) currently competes at nine circuits in

1840-574: The two vehicle types. The series incorporates the world famous Bathurst 1000 race as a championship round. Because of the longer distance, regulations require two drivers per car for this race. This also applies to The Bend 500 & the Gold Coast 600 . These events make up the Pirtek Enduro Cup , which is a championship-within-a-championship where the driver combination with most points collected over these three endurance races wins

1886-533: Was cancelled after the end of the 1988 season, due to escalating costs (a one-off World Touring Car Championship in 1987 also exacerbated the problem). By then, the FIA had allowed "Evolution" models to be homologated, and it was special cars such as the BMW M3 Evo and Ford Sierra RS500 that dominated the grids and results. The Macau Grand Prix 's Guia Race , the Spa 24 Hours and the 24 Hours Nürburgring were

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1932-598: Was mainly ignored by the ETCC entrants, all cars going the Group A route. BMW and Alfa Romeo prepared regular touring cars for the championship, but it was the big-engined Tom Walkinshaw Racing prepared Jaguar XJS and Rover 3500 Vitesse that would be more competitive in the years to come, fighting against the BMW 635 CSi , the turbocharged Volvo 240T and Ford Sierra Cosworth as well as (from 1986) Australian manufacturer Holden and its V8 powered Commodore . The championship

1978-452: Was replaced by a privately funded Aston Martin Vantage program that did not last beyond the 2019 season. For the 2019 season, major technical changes occurred. Turbochargers were reintroduced in accordance with new regulations impacting engines and power outputs, as all cars are now required to have 2.0-litre 4-cylinder single turbo engines, replacing the 4.0L V8s that had been used since

2024-553: Was the best touring car championship in the world, and many champions of that era now race in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Between 2002 and 2006 the BTCC ran its own Touring class with Super Production/Super 2000 cars making up the numbers; the Touring class was phased out (only privateers are eligible to run old Touring cars) with the intention of a pure Super 2000 series. The introduction of

2070-482: Was very balanced with four drivers winning five races apiece (Giovanardi, Kox, Morbidelli and Colciago) with four manufacturers (Alfa Romeo, Honda, BMW, Audi). At the end of the year Giovanardi was able to win the title beating Kox in last round. In 2001, this series became the FIA 2001 European Super Touring Championship , with an extra class for Super Production cars alongside the main Super Touring class. As

2116-451: Was won by German Peter Nöcker and his Jaguar. In 1968, the regulations were changed to allow Group 5 cars to participate, however these highly modified Special Touring Cars would only be eligible for two years. In 1970 the series name was changed from European Touring Car Challenge to European Touring Car Championship . Group 2 again became the principle category although Group 2 regulations were now much more liberal in nature than

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