History will be made this weekend (28-29 March), as WestCoast Racing will become the first Swedish team in precisely three decades to compete at a Formula 1 World Championship event.

The Halmstad-based operation has an entry in the inaugural TCR International Series and believes it’s “very well prepared” for the season-opening round, which will be held as part of the Malaysian Grand Prix support bill at the spectacular Sepang International Circuit near the majestic city of Kuala Lumpur (28-29 March).

Two heavyweights of Scandinavian motorsport, WestCoast Racing and Sportpromotion, have combined forces for the first time ever, formalising a long-held and shared desire to go racing on the international stage.

Greger Petersson and his company, Sportpromotion, first formed a relationship with WestCoast Racing founder, Dick Jönsson-Wigroth, in 1980 and the bond between the two parties has only strengthened over the decades.

The continued cooperation between the companies has resulted in an attack on the newly-launched TCR International Series as one combined force and the amalgamated outfit will field a trio of Honda Civics, built and developed by JAS Motorsport to the new TCR technical regulations, for Italian ace Gianni Morbidelli, American ‘tin-top’ star Kevin Gleason and Germany’s Rene Munnich.

Hailed as the future of touring car racing, the TCR International Series is a brand new global concept that is designed to be a marketable, profitable and spectacular, yet cost-effective competition platform and boasts a coveted spot on the F1 support package in Malaysia, China and on the floodlit streets of Singapore.

While the opening round of the 2015 TCR season in Malaysia heralds the beginning of an exciting new chapter, WestCoast Racing will also make history as the first Swedish team to appear on the F1 roster since 1985.

“This is the first time in exactly 30 years that a Swedish team competes at a Formula 1 event, at an international level,” said Petersson. “It was in 1985 when the DTM ran in support of F1 that a Swedish outfit made an appearance with a Volvo 240 Group A and, 30 years later, the same guys make a return under the WestCoast Racing banner, this time as a competitor in the new-for-2015 TCR International Series.

“This is a very proud moment because, having achieved so much since the Eighties, we never really expected to get back into this circus again. But, when Marciello Lotti presented the TCR concept as cost-effective and a level playing-field, it was something we couldn’t pass up. Ultimately, it’s a fair concept that will hopefully bring touring cars back to where it used to be 30 years ago. We have applied all available resources to ensure we’re competitive and everybody involved with WestCoast’s programme believe we will be very well prepared compared to many others. We have good drivers and a good team behind us, so we’re going for the top – that’s the only aim.”

Gianni Morbidelli has signed to race under the WestCoast Racing banner in 2015, as the Swedish team steps up to the global stage for the much-anticipated maiden season of the TCR International Series.
WestCoast Racing will run a trio of Honda Civics, built and developed by JAS Motorsport to the new TCR technical regulations, with American racer Kevin Gleason and Morbidelli confirmed for two of the seats.

Morbidelli spent his early career working his way up the single-seater ranks and won Formula 3 titles in Europe and his native Italy in 1989 prior to reaching the heady heights of Formula 1.

The Italian ace had spells with the Minardi, Arrows and Jordan F1 teams, and held a role as Ferrari’s official test and reserve driver during the Nineties, before dovetailing his F1 commitments with campaigns in many of the world’s most prestigious ‘tin-top’ series.

Seasons spent in Italian Superturismo, British Touring Cars, the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and, most recently, the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) were interspersed with title successes in the Italian and International Superstars Championships and the Speedcar Series, and Morbidelli is brimming with confidence and enthusiasm ahead of his forthcoming season with WestCoast Racing, believing he has a very real shot of expanding his already impressive trophy collection.

“I am genuinely excited about joining WestCoast Racing and I will use all of my experience to do the best job possible,” said Morbidelli. “My first impressions of the team, the Honda Civic TCR and the TCR International Series are very good and I’m ready for a new challenge. Everything is new so we’re all starting from zero and, while the car is still in the early stages of development, I believe WestCoast Racing has the ability and the determination to succeed, having met them and tested at Barcelona and Vallelunga. I’m sure they will do a fantastic job.

“I expect the TCR International Series to be very exciting and, as it’s such an interesting concept, I’m sure it will grow. From my point of view, I see it being the future of touring car racing, not only in Europe, but globally, so it is an honour to be involved from the very beginning. On the whole, I feel very optimistic and I would like to thank WestCoast Racing and Greger Petersson for the opportunity to collaborate. I have a good feeling – I’m confident and feel I understand the team’s mentality, so I believe we can hit the ground running.”

WestCoast Racing is a stalwart of the respected Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) and has established itself as a force to be reckoned, having notched up no fewer than five Drivers’ and two Teams’ titles over the course of two decades in the STCC, as well as other successes in the Porsche Carrera Cup, Swedish GTs and ADAC GT Masters in Germany.

However, the Halmstad outfit’s ascent up the motorsport ladder continues and it now has the intention of conquering international motorsport, firstly by fielding a three-car entry in the 2015 TCR International Series – a newly-derived touring car racing concept, designed to be marketable, profitable and spectacular, while keeping a tight grip on costs.

Greger Petersson, Team Principal of WestCoast Racing/Sportpromotion, said: ”We are very happy to welcome Gianni Morbidelli to the team for the very first TCR International Series campaign. He is a very well-known and established driver with lots of experience and success in international racing, achieved over many years. I have no doubt that Gianni’s involvement will boost the team as it takes on really stiff opposition from many established teams and drivers in this thrilling new championship.”

James Nixon, Team Manager of WestCoast Racing, concluded: “In WestCoast Racing’s first year in the TCR International Series, securing a driver of Gianni Morbidelli’s calibre is a very proud moment. By being able to announce such a driver shows the team’s intentions for this championship. Together, we are aiming high.”

The 2015 TCR International Series is due to commence at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the illustrious support package for the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (29 March) and will tour many of the world’s greatest motorsport venues in Europe, South America and Asia.

WestCoast Racing is delighted to announce that American racer Kevin Gleason will form one third of its attack on the inaugural season of the highly-anticipated TCR International Series.
WestCoast Racing was created in 1994 by Dick Jönsson-Wigroth and has gone on to establish itself as the world’s leading Swedish touring car team by accumulating several championship titles over the course of two decades in the highly esteemed Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC).

Five Drivers’ and two Teams’ titles make WestCoast Racing the most successful STCC team ever, although it has reigned supreme in other high profile forms of motor racing, including the Porsche Carrera Cup, Swedish GTs and German ADAC GT Masters in recent years.

Naturally, with such a remarkable record, the Halmstad-based operation has high standards and lofty ambitions, and it will continue striving for perfection and pursuing spectacular results when it embarks on a brand new programme in the fledgling TCR International Series.

A brand new global touring car racing concept, the TCR International Series is designed to be marketable, profitable and a spectacular, yet cost-effective competition platform and will encompass 12 rounds, including three slots on the Formula 1 support package in Malaysia, China and the floodlit streets of Singapore.

WestCoast Racing will field a trio of Honda Civics built and developed to the new TCR technical regulations by JAS Motorsport and the team has today confirmed that American wheelman, Kevin Gleason, will join the fold for the inaugural TCR season in 2015.

With a background in US-based touring cars, Gleason has demonstrated skill and adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between different specifications of racecar and accumulating various high profile race victories along the way.

The Business Management graduate’s key achievements include a win in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge VIR 13 Hour and the 2014 ADAC Nürburgring 6 Hours, and the Pennsylvanian is relishing the opportunity of contesting a full season in the TCR International Series under the WestCoast Racing banner.

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of the WestCoast Racing team for the inaugural TCR International Series season,” said Gleason. “The team is well proven and brings a vast array of experience that I’m sure will help see it quickly adapt to the new challenge it faces in 2015. Beyond the team itself, I expect the Honda Civic TCR to be a competitive package, especially with the support of JAS Motorsport and Mugen. I look forward to building these relationships into a successful campaign.

“The TCR International Series, meanwhile, is brand new so it’s difficult to have any expectations. I believe the vision of creating a worldwide platform with a cost sensitive structure is a great idea that will help grow touring car racing globally. I’m just excited to be contesting a full season for the first time since 2011 and I am looking to soak up as much information as possible and apply it to maximise my chances for success. Let’s start off with scoring points and build on that.”

WestCoast Racing Team Manager, James Nixon, said: “WestCoast Racing is delighted to welcome Kevin Gleason to the team. His pace and hunger to succeed is very apparent and that was a big appeal when we started our conversations. The TCR International Series is the ideal category to start a full season campaign and to perfect his racecraft on some of the best tracks in the world. I have no doubt Kevin will soon be a name we all know and remember in touring cars.”

The 2015 TCR International Series is due to commence at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the illustrious support package for the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (29 March) and will tour many of the world’s greatest motorsport venues in Europe, South America and Asia.

Det blir en fortsättning för Fredrik Larsson i WestCoast Racing även 2015. Det blev ett SM-silver i fjol och nu satsar Fredrik och WestCoast Racing på att utmana om och ta hem STCC-guldet 2015.
– Det här känns väldigt bra och det är kul att det kunde bli klart så pass tidigt, säger Fredrik. WestCoast Racing var ett självklart val, för mig handlade det om jag skulle fortsätta köra eller inte och jag är väldigt motiverad att ta hem den där STCC-bucklan till slut. Vi vet att det är svårt, i fjol blev vi tvåa och det var ett väldigt bra år. Nu ska vi hitta de sista pusselbitarna och bygga vidare på vår starka avslutning på säsongen 2014. Vi sätter ihop teamet runt min bil nu och det viktiga är att vi kommer att ha kul, då kommer också resultaten.

Teamchef Dick Jönsson Wigroth är lika glad att det blir en fjärde säsong med Fredrik Larsson i en av teamets STCC-bilar.
– Jag är väldigt glad att Fredrik ville fortsätta och att vi redan nu i januari kunde få allting klart, säger Dick. Fredrik var främsta utmanare om titeln i fjol och den som kunde ta striden med Volvo. Precis som Fredrik säger siktar vi på att slipa till det sista och ta hem mästerskapstiteln.

WestCoast Racing önskar alla en god jul och ett gott nytt år. Vi vill tacka alla som har varit med och stått bakom och stöttat WestCoast Racing i år.

Vi är stolta över den här säsongen även om vi alltid är med för att vinna. Alla våra förare tog under året full pott, även våra två nya juniorer Philip Forsman och Erik Jonsson stod högst upp på pallen och Fredrik Larsson var vår stora titelutmanare. Fredriks SM-silver är något vi är mycket stolta över.