In 2005, the European Touring Car Championship will become the World Touring Car Championship, featuring a total of 10 rounds. This will be the first FIA World Touring Car Championship since 1987. There were three World Touring Car Cups in 1993, 94 & 95, but these were one off races.

See the following links for the announcement : http://www.eurostc.com/2k4/default.a...ews.asp&id=793
and
http://www.eurostc.com/2k4/default.a...ews.asp&id=794.

According to the latest edition of Australia's fortnightly Motorsport News magazine, the manufacturers which have committed to the series are Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ford and SEAT. It is thought that Peugeot and one other (Honda?) will also compete.

Sounds good. Just one problem for me - no Australian race. Also, making the WTCC for DTM or V8 Supercars would've been more exciting (though it would've limited the number of manufacturers able to compete).

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Will it be successful?