TC America - Round 1

TC America Round 1 takes place at Sonoma Raceway, bringing sprint racing action to California's wine country. This season opener features the unified TC class, which combines high-performance touring cars from multiple manufacturers. Sonoma Raceway provides a challenging test for drivers and teams with its 2.52-mile road course and significant elevation changes.

Race Format and Class Structure

The weekend at Sonoma Raceway includes two 35-minute sprint races for the TC America series. Each race weekend features five on-track sessions. The TC class showcases factory-built and factory-supported race cars that produce over 350 horsepower. Manufacturers represented include Acura, BMW, Hyundai, Mazda, MINI, and Toyota. The streamlined single-class format creates close competition among different manufacturers and driving styles.

Sonoma Raceway Circuit Details

Sonoma Raceway sits approximately one hour north of San Francisco. The 2.52-mile road course features 12 turns and 160 feet of elevation change. This elevation variation tests driver skill and car setup throughout each lap. The circuit's signature feature is the Carousel, a long, banked turn that challenges competitors. The asphalt surface and technical layout make Sonoma Raceway a demanding venue for TC America Round 1.

Track Characteristics

The raceway complex covers approximately 1,600 acres with a seating capacity of 44,000. The facility opened in 1968 as Sears Point Raceway and has hosted NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and other major racing events. Speedway Motorsports, LLC has owned the property since 1996. The track's location in wine country adds a distinctive setting for motorsports competition.

Technical Regulations and Competition

TC America uses specific technical regulations to ensure competitive racing. Factory support provides technical parity among the different manufacturers. All competitors use Pirelli tires. The TC class features cars that meet stringent specifications for turn-key race cars. The Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO) manages the series, with sanctioning from the United States Auto Club.

Teams and Participants

TC America Round 1 at Sonoma Raceway attracts professional teams and drivers. Teams competing in the series include Skip Barber Racing, Ricca Autosport, and JMF Motorsports. The series serves as a development platform for drivers advancing to GT4 America and other racing categories. Winners may receive the Level Up Award, which grants a full season of entry fees to Pirelli GT4 America.

Viewing Options

Fans can watch TC America Round 1 through multiple platforms. MAVTV provides television coverage. The GTWorld YouTube channel streams races online. SRO Motorsports also broadcasts on Twitch. These viewing options make the series accessible to fans worldwide. Spectators attending Sonoma Raceway can purchase tickets, with free admission available for children 12 and under.

Series Background

TC America was created through the separation of classes from the Pirelli World Challenge. The series focuses on cars that previously competed in TC, TCA, and TCR categories. The unified structure creates a strong field of competitive touring cars. Close racing among different manufacturers defines the championship. Each race at Sonoma Raceway contributes points to the season championship.