Many new sponsors are on board for this new series and the teams will gain national exposure. Marques such as Honda, Acura, Subaru,  Mazda,BMW and Audi will be battling it out on many of North America's greatest race tracks. Laguna Seca, Las Vegas International Raceway, Sears Point, California Speedway and Portland International Raceway to name just a few.

The cars will use 4 and 6 cylinder engines putting out anywhere from 170 to 220+ horsepower. Exclusive tires for the USTCC series are 17 inch Hoosier R3S03 Racing Tires. The cars use fairly stock engines with bolt on parts such as headers, throttle bodies, computers, air intakes, etc. Suspension modifications allow replacement of shocks, springs and sway bars while maintaining factory suspension mounting points. Brake system upgrades allow the teams to run massive rotors and multi-piston calipers. Aerodynamic aids such as airdams, side skirts and wings are allowed to improve handling.

The cars are kept equal by the mandatory power to weight ratio of 13lbs per horsepower in stock trim. 4 wheel drive, bigger brakes and ABS are also allowed, but each carries it’s own additional weight penalty. In order to help competitors get their racecars down to their legal minimum weight, composite body panels can be used as long as they are true to the stock form.

In an effort to keep costs down and encourage new competitors, there are several rules governing expensive modifications. No internal engine modifications are allowed. Also not legal will be the super expensive sequential transmissions used in the European touring car series.

The 2002 US Touring Car Championship looks to be a very exciting one with over 20 teams competing. With rules that are designed to promote the construction of high performance racing cars that spectators can personally relate to and emulate, this series is sure to get the attention of car enthusiasts nationwide!

To download a copy of the 2002 U.S. Touring Car Championship Rulebook, just click here.

For more information on the U.S. Touring Car Championship, the racing teams and drivers and updates throughout the racing season, visit the U.S. Touring Car Championship website at www.ustcc.com