Ohlins secures sole supplier deal for first TCR UK series

Swedish suspension giants Ohlins have been named exclusive partners to the new 2018 TCR UK Touring Car Championship which starts this year.

TCR UK, which has attracted entries from the likes of Motorbase Performance, Sean Walkinshaw Racing and Team Pyro, is set for its inaugural championship this year with a seven-round, 14-race campaign beginning at Silverstone in early April and wrapping up with a season finale at Donington Park in mid-October.

The series will follow the format of the TCR International series, which is merging with the World Touring Car Championship in 2018, with the new UK series encouraged as a stepping stone to the world stage.

Having helped Thed Bjork to the 2017 WTCC title with Volvo, Ohlins is increasing its touring car commitments by becoming the sole supplier to the TCR UK series with Ohlins centre Mick Gardner Racing acting as on-site service to all teams in 2018.

Chris Witter, Ohlins Distribution & Test Centre manager, is thrilled to announce the partnership at the Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC and sees the deal as an extension to its impressive motorsport schedule.

“This is an exciting partnership for us as we look to expand our motorsport programme to include TCR and transfer that message over to our Road & Track product range,” Witter said. “The TCR series is clearly a powerful network including interest from manufacturers, so it is great to see the series expand to the UK, one of the most enthusiastic markets in the world for Motorsport. 

“It is pleasing also to have Mick Gardner Racing involved on the ground at each event, they are renowned as one of the most experienced motorsport suspension specialists in the UK. We are looking forward to round one at Silverstone!”

Jennifer Mouratsing, TCR UK Championship manager, has echoed Witter’s comments as she gears up for the first season with backing and promotion from the British Racing and Sports Car Club.

“As we near the start of the inaugural TCR UK series, Ohlins are an important brand to welcome onboard as a series Partner,” Mouratsing said. “Not only do they bring an unrivalled motorsport heritage with them, their nominated Suspension Service Mick Gardner Racing is very well known amongst many of our teams, giving them faith in their technical expertise for the whole paddock.”