The WTCR faces its last round of the year at the Anneau du Rhin circuit. At least that’s what the existing schedule says for now. It is true that the destinations that will close the season have yet to be defined, a process that will take place by telematic vote on August 8, but until then the World Touring Car Cup focuses on this small circuit located in the Alsace region, France. Yes indeed, the Goodyear tire crisis and the ‘bravas’ exit of Lynk & Co have overshadowed everything else.
The Anneau du Rhin circuit has more history than it might seemsince in its beginnings it was a private circuit built by the industrialist Marc Rinaldi together with his son and daughter-in-law in association with the Spengler family, to which Bruno Spengler, a former DTM driver, belongs. It is a small circuitwith a layout that is inspired by the different variants of Paul Ricard. The version of the track that the WTCR will use is 3,621 meters longvariant that has 14 curves.
The problems in the Goodyear tires seen in Vallelunga have thrown into the air the little stability that the WTCR could have left, seen what has been seen. Lynk & Co and Cyan Racing have stopped their program in the serieseven if the FIA and the rest of the actors involved had offered the solution of reduce the base weight of all TCR vehicles by 20 kilograms. Measure that has been taken, but without the presence of the five Lynk & Co 03 TCR that were on the grid. Thus, there is a list of entries reduced to 12 cars.
Among these twelve TCR is the Hyundai Elantra N TCR of the leader Mikel Azcona. The Navarrese has the clear objective of defending the privileged position that he has and, if possible, extending his advantage before the prospect of playing one or two more events. His main pursuer is Néstor Girolami. The Argentine is 36 points behind, but has shown signs of great strength in the tests prior to the event to check the correct operation of the Goodyear tires. Third overall is Rob Huff with the CUPRAwith Gilles Magnus occupying fourth place.
Without the five Lynk & Co drivers, including reigning champion and local hero Yann Ehrlacher or fellow Alsatian Yvan Muller, the field of entrants has been greatly reduced. Also, only Nathanaël Berthon will compete at homeas there are no other French drivers on the grid. It is worth noting the return of Dániel Nagy to competition with the second of the Zengö Motorsport CUPRAs after missing the weekend of the World Touring Car Cup in Vallelunga.
WTCR 2022 schedules at the Anneau du Rhin circuit
Photos: FIA WTCR