TCR / 19 November 2017

JAS Honda wins TCR International crown

The Honda Civic Type R TCR delivered an incredible 13th major title of 2017 as M1RA claimed the TCR International Series Teams' Championship at a dramatic finale in the UAE last weekend.

The Hungarian team were also able to help the JAS Motorsport-built Civic clinch second place in the ‘Car of the Year's standings and to ensure that their teenage star Attila Tassi - a title contender throughout the season - claimed second in the Drivers' Championship.

Tassi, who arrived at the Dubai Autodrome with a chance of the overall crown himself, suffered a technical issue in opening practice, which prevented him from covering any distance before qualifying.

A remarkable recovery netted him tenth place in qualifying and fifth in Race One - a result that confirmed the Teams' title. He was then on-course to win Race Two when an unfortunate jump-start penalty caused him to drop back. Tassi recovered to 11th by the chequered flag.

His team-mate Roberto Colciago; another to arrive with a chance of the title, suffered damage in the opening race that prevented him from starting the later encounter.

Josh Files, who joined the team for the first time, delivered an excellent weekend performance with sixth spot in Race One and a well-deserved maiden podium finish in the series in Race Two (pictured below) for the double TCR Germany champion.

Boutsen Ginion Racing, who were winners in the series in Thailand and also claimed the TCR Benelux crown this year, had suffered issues in qualifying that restricted Aurelien Panis to 18th on the grid, but he fought back superbly to finish 14th and 13th; the Frenchman set for a top-10 finish in Race One before being hit by a rival driver.

Mads Fischer, JAS Motorsport TCR Project Leader, said: "It is an incredible achievement to win an international championship, and even more so to do it in your first season, so I am sending our most enormous congratulations to M1RA on their Teams' Championship victory. Eight different Honda drivers from three teams have finished on the podium in TCR International this year, showing that the car has been competitive, no matter who has run it. The Honda Civic Type R TCR has now taken 13 major titles this year, which is quite incredible, and is a fitting way for JAS Motorsport to move into the next era of competition with the brand-new Civic Type R TCR, which will make its race debut next year."