TCR New Zealand has ‘paused’ its 2022 championship, citing economic and border issues as primary reasons, in recent media release. However, Velocity News has been told that there was little interest from the existing Kiwi TCR car owners in competing in the MSNZ TCR Championship, the majority only interested in competing in the more relaxed NIERDC and SIERDC Endurance Series.
Instead, MSNZ are working to have the 2022 championship integrated into the North and South Island Endurance Series. Exactly how remains unknown.
Only Last month MSNZ’s category manager Lindsay Dodd told Velocity News preparation for the 2022 season was full steam ahead.
Dodd also claimed that fifteen TCR cars are already in the country, with four more on the way, and two new cars have become caught up in Australia, while some interested international drivers cannot secure MIQ spots.
Teams already based in New Zealand have also been faced with delayed shipments of necessary parts.
Dodd confirmed today he and his team had to “make a responsible and commercially correct decision” to ‘pause’ the 2022 championship.
“I am very disappointed to have to announce this,” Dodd said.
“I’m equally sorry for Geoff Short and the Speed Works team that we have had to come to this decision.”
There had been no drivers confirmed for next year’s series. Dodd claimed last month many were waiting on border and travel restrictions..
The Super Production Championship has also been canned as it was meant to run in conjunction with TCR NZ.