WTCR – Sébastien Loeb Racing lines up two VW Golf GTIs

The Sebastian Loeb Racing will be present in the new WTCR formula, a meeting of the WTCC and the TCR International Series. The structure in the name of the nine-time champion of WRC will field two Volkswagen Golf GTI TCRs for the season. The team managed by Dominique Heintz will retain Mehdi Bennani (6th in 2017) and has just recruited Rob Huff who finished seventh with All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport (2nd and 3rd respectively in the WTCC Trophy).

“What a pleasure to be able to take part in the new WTCR championship with Sébastien Loeb Racing, rejoices Rob Huff. With two WTCC team titles won in recent years, I am in the ideal team to fight at the front. My goal is clear, to win the championship title, I know the circuits on the calendar well and I already had the opportunity to drive the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR in the TCR International Series last year. The team and I are perfectly trained for this type of race and we will be able to work directly on performance to play the leading roles. Finally, the season will end on the legendary Macau circuit (China, November 15-18), my favorite race. I hope to win a tenth time on this track and fight for the champion title. »

“Leaving with Sébastien Loeb Racing was obvious to me, confides Mehdi Bennani. We are established in a real relationship of trust. The WTCR cars are slightly different from the previous ones, but the technical team, with their very professional approach, showed their know-how and I am convinced that we will fight for victory from the start with the Golf GTI TCR . The format of the races is the same as we have seen in recent years with circuits that we all know. I am already looking forward to meeting all the staff for the first tests and above all to placing myself as high as possible on the starting grid at home in Marrakech next April for the start of the season. »

Sébastien Loeb Racing opted for the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR on the grounds that this model won the TCR International Series title last year with Jean-Karl Vernay and the Leopard Racing Team WRT.

“Since 2015, Sébastien Loeb Racing has built a solid track record in the WTCC, notes Dominique Heintz, co-founder of the team with Sébastien Loeb. Building on our results, we had to continue our involvement at the highest level. The creation of the WTCR is excellent news, it allows us to benefit from adapted technical regulations, while offering great media exposure to teams like ours thanks to the efficiency of the promoter Eurosport Events. With the Golf GTI TCR, Volkswagen Motorsport has developed the ideal car for victory and our relations are already very constructive. As for our pilots, their qualities allow us to say that we have the best assets to add new lines to our list. »

Sébastien Loeb Racing remains on two WTCC Trophy titles acquired over the last two seasons.