The FIA have released the 2012 calendar for the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) after it was approved by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) today.
The twelve date schedule is heavily altered from the apttern has become familiar over recent years. No longer will the season start with the events in South and Central America. Instead the first half of the season is almost entirely based in Europe – the aim to cut the transportation costs.
With the change the UK's date moves from a summer slot to April 15, the series returning to Donington Park for a second season.
The Marrakech street circuit returns to the calendar – the short trip to Morocco the only non-European race in the opening seven events.
After the European season ends in Porto on June 10, the series first visits Curitiba in Brazil before making a first visit to America with a race at the Sonoma track in California.
Three Asian races close the season, Macau – as ever – hosting the finale on November 18.
2012 World Touring Car Championship calendar
March 11 – Monza, Italy
April 1 – Valencia, Spain
April 15 – Donington Park, UK
April 29 – TBA, Germany
May 6- Budapest, Hungary
May 20 – Marrakech, Morocco
June 10 – Porto, Portugal
July 22 – Curitiba, Brazil
September 23 – Sonoma, USA
October 21 – Suzuka, Japan
November 4 – Shanghai, China
November 18 – Macau