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The FIA has introduced a new set of Technical Guidelines for entry-level touring car racing, aimed at supporting grassroots motor sport in developing countries. The guidelines provide a flexible framework for FIA Member Clubs looking to establish affordable club-level racing while meeting essential safety standards
The guidelines do not impose restrictions on power or vehicle specifications, focusing solely on safety and covering areas such as the safety cage, windows, bodywork, fuel systems, driver safety equipment, cockpit and driver access, brakes, wheels and tyres, suspension, steering, electrical system, fire protection and towing, while at the same time allowing FIA Member Clubs flexibility in defining performance aspects to suit local conditions.
“The FIA is dedicated to doubling motor sport participation and enhancing global accessibility, and this vision begins with a solid foundation at the grassroots level, where safety is essential,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.
“By offering these blueprints to our Member Clubs, we can directly empower them to grow and strengthen their domestic entry-level touring car competitions,” he summarised.
“Our role as the FIA, amongst other things, is to share expertise and know-how with our Member Clubs and therefore raise the standards at grassroots and club-level racing,” added FIA Touring Car Commission Chairman, Alan Gow.
“At the same time, we recognise the fact that grassroots touring car racing must be accessible and adaptable to local conditions. By focusing on safety, these guidelines give the FIA Member Clubs the freedom to shape their championships while maintaining key safety standards. Even countries with established motor sport, like the UK, should benefit. After the TC Lite ruleset release last year, this is another step towards making touring car racing more popular and more accessible than ever before.”
The definition of the guidelines has met with positive reception among FIA Member Clubs.
“Establishing clear safety standards for entry-level touring car racing is essential. It helps to ensure driver well-being while providing ASNs with a flexible framework to adapt to local markets, fostering growth in grassroots racing,” admitted Andrew Fraser, President of Motorsport Australia.
“Safety is the number one priority for Motorsport Australia and clearly defining these standards is key to protecting the motor sport community, while also ensuring consistency and fairness across the sport,” added Sunil Vohra, CEO of the club.
Australia is a country with a broad and vibrant touring car racing scene, from grassroots competitions such as the Hyundai Excel one-make racing, all the way up to the Supercars Championship. Yet, the strength of the guidelines is that they will be universally available to clubs regardless of the level of motor sport in their respective countries.
“In Mozambique, where motor sport is still developing, we find ourselves needing to make certain concessions to make it accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Safety standards are fundamental for us.” said Miguel Tiago, Director at Automobile and Touring Club of Mozambique, a club known for governing grassroots touring car racing at Autódromo Internacional de Maputo, the country’s only active racing circuit.
“A standardised document is essential for achieving a delicate balance between affordability and accessibility. When individuals see that established safety measures are in place, they are more likely to engage in racing, and this is our main objective,” he summarised.
Tiago also praised the fact that the guidelines can be adapted to a wide variety of vehicles. “By customising our regulations to fit our domestic market, we can ensure that the safety standards are relevant to the types of cars available locally. This adaptability encourages participation from local drivers who may not have access to high-end racing vehicles, yet can compete in cars that are common in Mozambique but equipped with current safety measures.”
The initiative of releasing technical guidelines for entry-level touring car racing aligns with the FIA’s ongoing commitment to increase motor sport participation worldwide, particularly in regions where access to racing has traditionally been limited, with the aim of creating a more inclusive environment for club-level racing.
At the same time, club-level touring car racing meeting fundamental safety criteria provides the competitors with a clear pathway towards higher classes such as as TC Lite, TCR or GT racing.
