The increasing participation of Asian drivers who enter on a race-by-race basis in the WTCC events that take place in the Far East, has pushed Eurosport Events to launch a dedicated trophy.
The first Eurosport Asia Trophy will be awarded at the end of the 2013 season to the best Asian driver on the basis of the results achieved in Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau.
WTCC General Manager Marcello Lotti explained: “In recent years we have noticed more and more interest in WTCC from the Asian drivers. Especially because most of the former WTCC cars continue racing in the national championships in Macau, Hong Kong, China and other countries in the Far East. To encourage them and in appreciation of their efforts, we have decided to award a special trophy that will be handed during the end of the season prize giving at Macau. And on top of this we are currently negotiating with potential sponsors to allocate a prize money.”
The Trophy will be reserved to race-by-race entrants and will award points to the eight best drivers classified in each of the six races, according to the following scale: 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. One additional point will be awarded for each point scored in the WTCC Drivers’ Championship.
Eurosport Asia Pacific will air a Congratulations campaign dedicated to the winning driver who will also benefit from exposure on the WTCC website and social media.
In 2012, thirteen Asian drivers had entered in at least one of the three WTCC events in the Far East.