!NEW! All Systems Go for Opel Astra TCR’s Second Season

• Intensive further development of Opel’s customer racing touring car for 2017
• Technical partner Kissling Motorsport also takes over customer support 

Next step: Pierre-Yves Corthals, winner of last season’s TCR Trophy Europe, and Belgian team DG Sport Compétition are working on using two Opel touring cars in the TCR International Series.

Before the start of the 2017 international circuit racing season, the Opel Astra TCR is currently undergoing the last phase of technical development. Based on lessons learned from the 2016 debut season, a number of details were optimized on Opel’s 350 hp customer racing touring car during the winter in preparation for the 2017 homologation this March. After this takes place, the Opel Astra TCR can be used in all TCR series around the world. The TCR spectrum encompasses the global TCR International Series as well as a total of eleven national and regional championships, which include the ADAC TCR Germany. In addition, a number of endurance races such as the Nürburgring 24-hours, Barcelona and Dubai feature a class for TCR vehicles as does the most popular privateer sport series in the world, the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring on the legendary Nordschleife.

Enhanced Astra TCR: Opel’s 350 hp customer racing touring car has been further optimized over the winter.

The vehicle homologation will be preceded by the “Balance of Performance” (BoP) test on March 1-2 at the Adria International Raceway near Venice. During this test, the performance of all participating brands’ TCR vehicles is tested by a professional driver engaged by the TCR organization and the cars are then given a base classification. This ensures the competitiveness of all participating vehicles. If necessary, BoP adjustments will be made during the season to assure well-balanced starting fields and exciting touring car racing with large brand diversity.

Opel Astra TCR with driver Pierre-Yves Corthals

In addition to private use in various national championships, the Opel Astra TCR is also to perform on the international stage again this year. The Belgian team DG Sport Compétition – with driver Pierre-Yves Corthals and the Astra TCR the first title holder in the TCR Trophy Europe last season – is working on using two Opel touring cars for the TCR International Series. The season start is on April 2 at Rustavi International Motopark in Georgia.

2016 Opel Astra TCR on Nürburgring

To offer customers support that is as comprehensive as possible, Opel is intensifying cooperation with its longtime technical and development partner Kissling Motorsport. In future, in addition to developing and building the Astra TCR customer vehicles, the touring car specialists from Bad Münstereifel near the Nürburgring will also be responsible for all customer support. “We thus bundle all building blocks necessary for our customer racing program under one roof. This ensures streamlined processes, direct communication channels and efficient service for Astra TCR customers,” says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott.

!NEW! Pre-Season Testing: Countless Kilometers for Opel Astra TCR

• Development of Opel’s new customer racing touring car right on schedule
• Positive findings after five-day test drives in Estoril, Portugal
• Delivery of first cars to customer teams at end of February 

For customer racing: Opel Astra TCR is built in accordance with the regulations of the Touring Car Racing Series.

The Opel Astra TCR development program is going at full speed. Last week, the new customer racing touring car built in accordance with the TCR (Touring Car Racing Series) regulations covered countless kilometers over five test days on the Circuito do Estoril in Portugal. “It was a very good test,” says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott. “The timeline is still very tight, but we are on schedule. Opel Astra TCR ran reliably at the last test drives in Zandvoort and Estoril, it’s performing well. Now we’re working on fine-tuning details before the first vehicles are delivered to our customer teams at the end of February.” The Opel Astra TCR makes it public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 – 13, 2016).

Pre-season testing: Countless kilometers for the Opel Astra TCR on the race circuits in Zandvoort and Estoril.

Opel Motorsport Technical Director Dietmar Metrich and the team at Opel development partner Kissling Motorsport paid special attention to the front axle’s sophisticated concept. “On a racing car with around 330 hp and front-wheel drive, this is a key component. All the longitudinal and lateral forces of a TCR car, so in addition to braking and steering this also means acceleration, affect the front wheels,” explains Dietmar Metrich. “And this is not only about the lap times, it is also about tire wear. So whoever has a car with a well-performing front axle has a clear advantage in tough competition. And because the front-wheel suspension pivot point is not specified in the TCR guidelines, we have some leeway in the design of the front axle.”

During the last test drives, the technicians concentrated on the basic setup to draw out the Opel Astra TCR’s maximum performance. This is in line with Dietmar Metrich’s credo: “It’s always easier to make a fast racing car solid than to make a solid one fast. But ultimately the best of both has to be at hand.” What is extremely important in the process is the meticulous balancing of the mechanical grip of the chassis and wheels as well as the aerodynamic grip, which is mainly created by the rear wing and front splitter. Both give the racing car fast and easy-to-drive handling. The racing car driver’s information on the car’s driving behavior is as significant as the lap times. Finely tuned vehicle balance is also especially important for brake performance. Opel Astra TCR’s brake system from the renowned manufacturer AP enables extremely late braking points. This is ensured by 378 mm brake discs and six-piston brake calipers at the front along with 265 mm brake discs and two-piston brake calipers at the back. The driver can modulate the braking balance from the cockpit.

Opel Astra TCR is also top in terms of dynamic strength. The sequential, six-speed racing transmission operated by a paddle shift located on the steering wheel from the French specialists Sadev works without difficulty. And the four-cylinder, two-liter turbocharged engine with two overhead camshafts and multi-point injection has already proved its strength and endurance in long-distance events. The 16 valve 330 hp unit with maximum torque of around 420 Nm also delivers impressive figures in its TCR trim. In this case it is boundaries set by the guidelines that limit the engine’s potential performance.

The key concept here is “Balance of Performance”. To ensure that every automaker – regardless of the technical basis of their production series platform – can bring a competitive racing car to the racetrack while also putting an end to cost-intensive technical spin-off pursuits, the regulation guardians balance the racing cars using a tried and tested system. The two “Balance of Performance” adjustment points in the TCR are engine performance and weight, whereby the engine performance is controlled via electronics or so-called mapping. The TCR guidelines thus enable exciting customer racing with maximum cost control.

“We still have lots of work ahead of us before our TCR debut,” says Jörg Schrott. “But I’m already looking forward to the coming season. The TCR is exactly what the teams and fans want. Thrilling, breathtakingly close motorsport featuring cars the spectators can identify with – this approach is a surefire success.” 

!NEW! Opel Astra TCR: New Touring Car for Customer Racing Presented

• Sneak preview of the 330 hp touring car for the TCR Series
• Use in short and long distance races possible
• First cars to be delivered to selected customer teams at the end of February 2016 

New Opel Astra TCR will presented for the first time in the Belgian town of Mettet.

Opel took full advantage of the international TCR (Touring Car Racing) presentation at the circuit Jules Tacheny in Mettet, Belgium, showing their new customer racing touring car for the first time. The Opel Astra TCR combines ultra-modern racing technology with an effective safety concept while simultaneously remaining close to production. It enables the Opel teams to compete in short and long distance races – such as the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring – with a technically unchanged vehicle.

New Opel Astra TCR is powered by a highly efficient 2.0 Turbo with 330 hp

The 5-door Astra is powered by a highly efficient two-liter turbocharged engine that will deliver 330 hp and maximum torque of 420 Nm (both determined by the “Balance of Performance” concept), thus ensuring that vehicle with a curb weight of 1,200 kilograms has enough propulsion. This power is transferred to the front wheels via a sequential, six-speed racing transmission with the paddle shift located on the steering wheel. Adhesion is established via a twin-disc sinter metal clutch. An automated double declutching system creates stability when shifting down. The racing car is decelerated by 378 mm brake discs and 6-piston brake calipers at the front along with 265 mm brake discs and 2-piston brake calipers at the back. The driver can modulate the braking balance from the cockpit.

The chassis is fully adjustable and comes with ultra-modern damper technology. The efficient aerodynamics, which include an adjustable front splitter and rear spoiler that for cost reasons are standard components and identical on all TCR vehicles, are also relevant for the vehicle set-up. Electronic assistance systems such as ABS and ESP are not permitted.

In order to ensure that the Opel customer teams can use their Astra TCR for a number of years without making any technical adjustments, the car already comes with features that the International Automobile Association (FIA) will only declare mandatory from the 2017 season such as the 100-liter fuel safety tank.

Opel’s commitment in the Touring Car Racing Series marks the continuation of a long and successful tradition in touring car racing. Customer racing has always been a key pillar in Opel’s motorsport commitment in many countries across Europe alongside factory-backed participation in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) or national championships such as the German Supertouring Championship (STW). The concept of the TCR matches this philosophy perfectly – with powerful, optically impressive close-to-production touring cars available at affordable prices, the TCR meets the current requirements of the interested customer teams.

The TCR also offers Opel the perfect platform to present its new volume model in a racing environment in the involved markets. The various national championships, obviously including the new German TCR series (ADAC TCR Germany), which will be staged under the overall control of Opel’s longtime partner ADAC, and the European championship are an ideal playing field for Opel and its customer teams. The three-tier concept – national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – ensures that customer teams can compete worldwide with the same car.

The Astra TCR is being developed in close cooperation with Opel’s longstanding partner Kissling Motorsport from Bad Münstereifel. Initial performance checks are set to take place before the end of October. A limited amount of Opel Astra TCRs will be delivered to selected customer teams from February of next year. The race-ready vehicle will cost a competitive €95,000 (plus VAT).

!NEW! Sneak Preview of the New Opel Astra TCR

• Opel to present the new touring car in Belgium on October 15
• Development of racing car with roughly 330 hp going according to plan
• TCR seen as ideal field for outstanding touring car customer racing

Powered by Opel: New Astra TCR comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp.

Development of the new Opel Astra TCR for the young but already hugely successful Touring Car Racing Series (TCR) is going according to plan. The customer racing touring car based on the new Opel Astra will be presented to the public for the first time at the official TCR presentation scheduled to be held on the Circuit Jules Tacheny in the Belgian town of Mettet on October 15, 2015.

For customer racing: New Opel Astra TCR racecar.

The Astra TCR, developed by Opel Motorsport in conjunction with long-standing technology partner Kissling, comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp and a string of technical highlights. The racing car will continue the long tradition of customer racing at Opel with its symbiosis of close-to-production but high performance and spectacular technology.

The TCR Series, launched for the 2015 season, offers the perfect playing field for professional customer teams. Thanks to the three-pillar concept, a TCR vehicle can race in national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – all of which have exactly the same homologation. Germany will have its own TCR racing series with the ADAC TCR Germany. Furthermore, a TCR class will be introduced for the ADAC 24h race on the legendary Nürburgring, thus further increasing the possibilities for the Opel Astra TCR.

!NEW! Opel celebrates with his fans comeback at the Endurance classic

• 210,000 spectators enjoy Opel comeback at the Nürburgring
•  Fritzsche / Fritzsche / Wolter / Gusenbauer win the Class Cup 1
• 54th Class victory for the Opel brand in the 24-hour race

The Opel traditional racing colors of white and yellow.
Opel Astra OPC Cup - Team Kissling Motorsport with starting number 110

The Opel brand is back in motorsport 210,000 spectators around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, the brand celebrated with the flash at the 41 ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race a great comeback. In the endurance classic in the Eifel proved the used Opel cars - from the brand new Opel Astra OPC to iconic Manta - perseverance to the end. Support for the hunt by the 'Green Hell' were the racers of the many fans of the brand, the camp at the Nürburgring for days. So fans can easily follow the race from the best seats at the Nordschleife, Opel has approached the tent and storage spaces and distributed 1,000 Opel folding chairs.

Longtime partners: Opel and Kissling Motorsport Motorsport with drivers starting number 110 (from left to right). Rear: Michael F. Meyer (Opel), Alex Hofmann, Stefan Kissling, Kroher Thomas, Thomas Sedran (Opel board), Hannu Luostarinen, front: Gerry Diel, Helmut Kissling, Jörg Schrott  (Opel Motorsport).

"The Opel fans at the Nurburgring are just great," says Alex Hofmann, who has gone into a prepared Kissling Motorsport Opel Astra OPC at the start. "The most emotional moment for me was the introduction round with the many fans along the way. In the dovetail I felt like in, Opel Country '-. Those who cheered me and the other riders everywhere people with yellow T-shirts "

Opel is back in motorsport. With well over a dozen privately inserted Opel cars, the brand is celebrating its comeback with the flash in the 24-hour race

Inspired by the racing comeback at the Nürburgring is also Dr. Thomas Sedran, Strategy Management Board of Adam Opel AG, who followed the race on the spot and the team pressed the thumb. "This is my first 24-hour race and I'm really impressed. The atmosphere is unique and the whole atmosphere authentic. The atmosphere in this race is comparable to any other event. "

Opel Astra OPC Cup - Team Motorsport Düchting with starting number 305
                   Background: The legendary Opel Manta in the box.

"The 24-hour race is a fascinating event and it is important that in this great Opel Motorsport Festival where", Sedran said. "Our numerous Opel teams offer viewers great motorsport. Our commitment to the grassroots is the private teams possible at a manageable budget. This combination is also reflected in our brand philosophy. The racing cars of Opel show our guests and the many fans around the Nurburgring Opel's sporty image and promote our series products. "

With experience and routine to Victory

Great joy after 24 hours: The victory in the Cup Class 1 won the Opel Astra OPC with the starting number 303 Appointed by the Union Race Teichmann Racing Cup racer with the driver and crew Hans-Jürgen Otto Fritzsche, Thorsten and Werner Wolter Gusenbauer crossed after 76 rounds the finish line as the winner. For the Opel brand, it is the 54th Class victory in the history of the 24-hour race, the twins Fritzsche it is the sixth. "We've already been run many victories, but is particularly beautiful," said Otto Fritzsche was happy at the finish. "In the end, 'Green Hell' conquered 'experience in the most difficult conditions in the. Without a doubt this race will still remain long in your memory. "

This was preceded thrilling door-to-door duels, some long battles every few seconds, and many lead changes. One of the biggest competitors were Alex Hofmann, Thomas and Hanno Luostarinen Kroher. The trio in the yellow-white Astra, the traditional colors of Opel Motorsport, with the starting number 110 came in second to the finish - and former MotoGP rider Hofmann not only delighted with the podium. "I've driven a few 24-hour race, but never finished the race. The race was great fun and the finish is a dream come true. Thanks to the team of Kissling Motorsport who made this possible. "

The third place Maximilian Hackländer, Christian Gebhardt, Pierrehumbert and Daniel Bohr counted. The driver line-up of the Opel Astra OPC with the starting number 305 had led the class for a long time and was thrown back by an accident. At the end they lacked 8.484 seconds in second place.

The checkered flag after the 24 hours also saw the very popular with the fans Opel Manta. In the SP3 class Olaf Beckmann, Volker Strycek, Peter hatred and Jürgen Schulten occupied sixth place. Dr. Thomas Sedran: "It's great that the 24-hour race sporty models from our current product range at the start are - above all the vehicles out of the Opel Astra OPC Cup. A contrast to this is the manta. The Manta has always been a very emotional car with all the fun. This is now our motto. "

The next performance by Opel Astra OPC at the third round of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring 22 June 2013.

!NEW! Opel is back in the "Green Hell"

Brand with the flash emblem shows the flag at the festival of Motorsport

Seven Astra OPC Cup teams take part in 24-hour challenge

Opel Astra OPC Cup 

Opel is back "is the motto at the 41st series of the 24-hour race (May 17 - 20, 2013) at the Nürburgring. In one of the official return to the rally and circuit shows the brand with the flash also the festival of motorsport flag. Around 200,000 visitors expected may Opel to about a dozen privately employed - including the all-new Astra OPC Cup racer and the Foxtail Manta cult status - happy.

One of the Astra OPC racing touring car is used by long-time Opel partner Kissling Motorsport in the traditional racing colors of white and yellow. Thanks to on-board camera TV viewers come (Sport 1) to enjoy pictures from the cockpit. For exclusive information from the racing scene provide the live commentary of the Astra OPC pilot Alex Hofmann. The ex-motorcycle GP pilot has experience with this kind of live coverage: "I am looking forward to use in Astra OPC at the 24 Hours on the ring. The car can be driven to great and is still really fast. I will do my best to resist the many spectators back the racing atmosphere directly from the cockpit unfiltered. "

VLN Endurance Championship in Nürburgring is the most popular endurance racing series in Europe.

Also around the two-storey hospitality over the NGK chicane where Opel dealers, their partners, employees and guests receive the Hofmann Astra will be 110 main topic of conversation with the starting number. In addition to an entertainment "around the clock" with permanent information on racing events also ex-DTM driver and Le Mans winner Joachim Winkelhock will be available for interview rounds and autograph actions. Another highlight is the "place in the front row" action: Opel transporter control during the 24 hours the tent and camp sites of many Opel fans in the "Green Hell". Her cargo, 1,000 Opel folding chairs will be distributed free to the fans.

The customer cars will compete in all ten rounds of the VLN season and there's a brand trophy - Astra OPC Cup - extend each other. As a highlight of the season participation is provided at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

"Such performances as here the engagement at the 24-hour race play a very important role in the restructuring of our company. We shape our brand profile, "says the strategy board of Adam Opel AG, Thomas Sedran. "Especially in width and sports clients, we build on a successful tradition. No other brand has so many enthusiastic fans at the track as we at the Nürburgring. These people are all in performance and quality orientation down to earth, honest and authentic - just like Opel ".

A total of seven teams go from the new Astra OPC Cup at the start. The use of the 300 hp Astra OPC are the loyal Opel fans on the "natural stands" around the Nordschleife as well with cheers and flag-waving reward as the pass-by of the legendary Foxtail Manta B, which already for the endurance classic 13 Takes time to attack.

The racetrack is a Opel's always been. The tour car sport the brand with the Lightning celebrated mainly on their "home track," the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, countless successes. Was in the professional field from 1993 driven by Manuel Reuter Calibra V6 an icon of fans, first in the DTM and eventually winning the title in 1996 in the successor series ITC. Other highlights: the brand championship in 1998 in the DTM / ITC series STW successor to the Vectra and the overall victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2003 with an Astra V8 Coupe.