Drivers ready for the challenge of Vila Real and its joker lap

After a month's break, the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) returns to the Vila Real circuit (Portugal). The Lusitano route will offer a challenge to drivers due to its location in the city, but also due to the joker lap, an innovation borrowed from Rallycross in 2017.

The 4,785 kilometer long circuit ends with a passage around a roundabout. Cars will have to use the left lane once per race (after the third lap only), where a chicane will slow them down.. The passage on the right concerns the usual circuit. The objective is to spice up the possibilities of overtaking.

The initiative is well received by competitors. “It’s a good thing, it’s new and it attracts the fans”, indicate Yann Erlacher (Honda), leader du championnat avec neuf points d’avance sur son oncle Yvan Muller (Hyundai, 146 contre 137).

“The joker round works very well, I gained positions thanks to it, recalls Thed Bjork (Hyundai, 6th overall with 112 points), WTCC champion last year. IIt is possible to choose a risky or cautious tactic (to know when to use this joker). This season, there are more drivers on track (26), so it will be more difficult. We will decide on the strategy after qualifying. »

Titled in the TCR International Series last season, Jean Karl Vernay (Audi, 4th with 121 points) does not know this Portuguese originality, but is not worried. “ I watched tons of videos from previous years. I set the lap record in the race in Formula 3 at the Macau Grand Prix (in 2009, the 6,120 km in 2'10''906 at an average of 168,304 km/h), so I know how to adapt quickly. »

The Frenchman was also full of confidence after his victory in TCR Europe at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). “It's always better to spend time behind the wheel, to continue discovering the car and refining the settings. »

Note that the star of the public Tiago Monteiro will not be back for his national round ; Benjamin Lessennes is confirmed within Boutsen Ginion Racing.

Race 1 will be followed on Saturday live video from the Oscaro.com website.

WTCR rankings ahead of Vila Real

WTCR schedule in Vila Real:
Saturday June 23
9 a.m.: Free Practice 1
11 a.m.: Free Practice 2
12:30 p.m.: Qualifications 1
16 p.m.: Race 1 (11 laps)

Sunday, June 24
9am Qualifying 2
15:45 a.m.: Race 2 (11 laps)
17:10 a.m.: Race 3 (13 laps)