Honda gets WTCC weight boost for Russia

The Honda Civic WTCCs will be 50 kilograms lighter than the pacesetting Citroën C-Elysée WTCCs when the FIA World Touring Car Championship resumes in Russia next week.

Under rules designed to equalise performance between the various World Touring Cars, a system of adding success ballast based on the difference in lap times operates.

As the winning manufacturer from 2015, Citroën began this season carrying 80 kilograms of additional weight, the maximum allowed under the championship regulations, and will continue to do so for WTCC ROSNEFT Race of Race of Russia from 10-12 June.

While the Hondas carried 40 kilograms of additional weight last time out in Germany, the recalculation means the amount falls to 30 kilograms, with the LADA Vestas benefitting from a 20-kilogram loss of success ballast, going from 40 to 20 kilograms.

The factory Volvo S60 Polestar TC1s and fleet of privateer Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1s will remain at their minimum base weight of 1100 kilograms in Russia.