For more information:
Adam Leveridge, BAM Motorsport Promotions
Tel.: +44 (0) 1442 891-500
E-mail: aleveridge@bam-promo.com
Gleason Goes Global and Joins WestCoast for TCR International Campaign
Kevin Gleason will contest the new global TCR International Series with WestCoast Racing in one of the Swedish team’s three Honda Civic TCRs
With a career founded on touring cars in the United States, Gleason spent his childhood watching his father race in GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and straight away became an avid motorsport fan.
Having originally started out racing motocross in his early years, it was in 2008 that the Business Management graduate began racing in Spec Miatas, earning one win, two pole positions and averaging a top-four finish in his debut season.
He then went on to compete in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup in 2010, followed by a full season in the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge in 2011, where he finished fifth in the Drivers’ standings.
The 27-year old boasts an impressive CV that includes victory in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the ViR 13 Hour and the 2014 ADAC Nürburgring 6 Hours, as well as an outing in the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in Australia alongside four-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Oliver Gavin and one of today’s most highly regarded touring car drivers, Rob Huff.
Gleason is a protégé of former FIA WTCC Champion, Huff, who recognized his natural talent and believes in Gleason’s ability to deliver on the international touring car scene.
The TCR International Series is a brand new manufacturer-focused racing concept on a like-for-like touring car platform and is founded by FIA WTCC supremo Marcello Lotti. The series will compete in all four corners of the globe, including as part of the illustrious Formula 1 support package in Malaysia, China
and under the lights of Singapore.
Founded in 1994 by Dick Jönsson-Wigorth, WestCoast Racing is one of Sweden’s most successful touring car outfits and has no fewer than five Drivers’ and two Teams’ titles in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) to its name.
In addition to its existing programme in the STCC, the Halmstad-based team is set to embark on a full-time campaign in the new-for-2015 TCR International Series with three Honda Civics built to TCR regulations by JAS Motorsport, with one of them being piloted by American driver, Gleason.
Gleason said: “I feel very fortunate to be a part of the WestCoast Racing team for the inaugural TCR International Series season. The team is well proven and brings a vast array of experience that I’m sure will help see it quickly adapt to the new challenge it faces in 2015. Beyond the team, I expect the Honda Civic TC3 to be a competitive package, especially with the support of JAS Motorsport and Mugen. I look forward to building these relationships into a successful campaign.
“The TCR International Series is brand new so it’s difficult to have any expectations. I believe the vision of creating a worldwide platform with a cost sensitive structure modeled on GT3 is a great idea that will help grow touring car racing globally. I’m just excited to be contesting a full season for the first time since 2011 and I am looking to soak up as much information as possible and apply it to maximize my chances for success. Let’s start off with scoring points and build on that.”
The 2015 TCR International Series is due to commence at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the illustrious support package for the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (29 March) and will tour many of the world’s greatest motorsport venues in Europe, South America and Asia. For more on Kevin Gleason, please 'like' his Facebook page or follow @KevinGleason60 on Twitter.