A new chapter for the TC America series is about to begin, with format changes coming into effect for the upcoming 2025 season. The championship remains a premier destination for professional touring car racing in North America, in addition to being the most cost effective, and this year will welcome an exciting streamlined class structure.
The championship boasts a rich history, dating back to the beginnings of World Challenge in the 1990s. Back then, the Touring Car series consisted of bespoke build TC cars which later morphed into factory-supposed racecars like TCR and todays’ models. It was later joined by separate TC and TCA classes featuring modified production vehicles.
Some of the most successful and recognized names in motorsports have emerged from the series, notably including Turner Motorsport’s Will Turner, five-time World Challenge champions Pierre Kleinubing and Michael Galati, and SRO America’s very own Peter Cunningham, a seven-time World Challenge champion himself.
When discussing the evolution of the series, Cunningham explained that “back in the day, there were no subcategories, and I think it’s a positive thing to be returning to that format. This is a cost effective way to compete in a professional series, and the limited modifications keep the investment on the lower end while still being able to benefit from the level of competition.”
Many of the present-day stars in GT3 and GT4 machinery got their early starts in TC America, with standouts including Michael Cooper, Ryan Eversley, and Kevin Boehm, all of whom have seen success in Pirelli GT4 America. Cooper was the 2012 World Challenge TC Champion, with Eversley doing the same in 2018, while Boehm holds two championship titles in TC America in the TCA and TC classes from 2020 and 2022.
This past year’s GT World Challenge America Pro-Am Vice-Champion, Samantha Tan, made her debut in World Challenge Touring Car back in 2015, competing in the TCA class for two consecutive seasons. Another member of the ST Racing squad, Bill Auberlen, also claimed the World Challenge Touring Car title twice, in 2003 and 2004.
Redesigned Class Structure
The TCX and TC categories are merging into a single performance standard, while the TCA class is being retired. This evolution sharpens the focus on a diverse range of performance brands competing at the highest level, promising renewed energy and thrilling competition.
The return to a single class structure is an element that is deeply rooted in the longstanding history of the series, beckoning back to the days of World Challenge. This format has fostered intense, wheel to wheel racing and cultivated an environment where skill can shine above all.
Furthermore, this season promises to deliver thrilling competition among a diverse lineup of manufacturers, including Acura, BMW, Hyundai, Mazda, MINI, and the introduction of the all-new Toyota GR Corolla TC racecar.
Updated Race Weekend Format
Additionally, the format of the race weekends will be altered as well, with the series now featuring two 25-minute sprint races, with the exception of events at Sebring International Raceway and Barber Motorsports Park, which will include three 25-minute contests.
New Opportunities for Growth
There is now more incentive than ever, with champions earning a Level Up Award, offering them a full season of entry fees to advance into the Pirelli GT4 America championship the following year.
The series serves as a great platform for those looking to expand on their racing skills, perfectly catered to up and coming drivers from all backgrounds. Whether you have risen through the ranks in karting, got your start in sim racing, or you’re a club racer looking to take the next step, TC America provides a setting that allows competitors to enhance their knowledge and develop their strengths.
Heightened Visibility
Competing in the TC America series offers unparalleled benefits through exclusive media exposure, with dedicated global livestreams that showcase drivers and teams to a worldwide audience. Additionally, racing alongside the prestigious GT World Challenge America championship ensures high-visibility race weekends, drawing significant attention from fans, media, and industry stakeholders.
Bring On 2025
The stage is set, and a new era awaits for the TC America competitors and future stars of the motorsports world!