TCR AUSTRALIA GETS GREEN LIGHT

TCR is coming to Australia – Photo: Supplied

AS OUTLINED in AUTO ACTION a month ago, the worldwide TCR touring car class is coming to Australia next year.

Following contractual delays, CAMS has confirmed that an agreement has finally been reached with the new Australian Racing Group to launch TCR Australia in 2019.

For the real story behind the announcement, see our other post “TCR AUSTRALIA: THE AA COVER YOU NEVER SAW”.

Here’s the official media release, plus the authorised background to TCR and ARG, and their plans for the future:

The Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) has granted the commercial and promotional rights of the Touring Car Racing Series to newly-formed category promoters Australian Racing Group (ARG).

The Australian Racing Group is an Australian-owned business which aims to develop and promote top quality racing categories at high-profile motorsport events.

The new category management business is owned by a consortium of businessmen and is spearheaded by Matt Braid, the former Managing Director for Volvo Cars Australia and the Supercars Championship.

ARG also has the commercial and management rights to develop Super 5000, the category based on the 1970s-inspired Formula 5000 category.

While Super 5000 continues to finalise its technical regulations, ARG has the full intention to kick off the inaugural TCR Series Australia in late 2019.

The TCR regulations, formulated by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti, were developed in 2014 as a cost-effective touring car racing alternative, providing an exciting race format and opportunity for upcoming drivers and racing teams.

Eligible cars include all front-wheel drive C-Segment hatchbacks or sedans, powered by production–based turbocharged petrol or diesel engines with a capacity of up to 2-litres and boasting 420 Nm of torque (310 horsepower).

There are currently four internationally-sanctioned TCR Series competing around the world, plus 12 national or regional series utilising the TCR regulations as their main rule book.

Manufacturers with cars currently homologated to TCR Series rules include Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru and Volkswagen, among others.

TCR Series rules stipulate that fully-fledged factory owned entries are prohibited, however, car manufacturers are strongly encouraged to support their cars, as entered by professional or private teams.

There is already one Audi RS 3 LMS TCR Series car in Australia. The car was shipped to Melbourne by Audi recently for evaluation.

The category has produced some of the most breath-taking, close and exciting motor racing, thanks to its level playing field amongst a wide-range of car manufacturers from around the globe.

Matt Braid, Director, Australian Racing Group

“We are extremely pleased to be awarded the rights to launch and promote TCR in Australia,” said Braid.

“TCR has proven itself to be an extremely popular, exciting and successful category in many countries around the world, and we look forward to working with competitors, manufacturers and event promoters to successfully launch the TCR series in Australia.”

Eugene Arocca, CEO, CAMS

“We are thrilled to confirm Australian Racing Group as the category promoters for TCR in Australia and look forward to seeing them hit the ground running,” Arocca said.

“This is a very exciting development for motorsport in Australia and already the interest in TCR has been very promising, from both a competitor and manufacturer standpoint.

“We look forward to seeing TCR start off strong and go from strength-to-strength as TCR makes its mark on Australian motorsport.”

Marcello Lotti, CEO, TCR Series

“We have been absolutely delighted, earlier this year, to sign a deal with CAMS for launching a TCR series in Australia. CAMS is the driving force behind the success of Australian motorsport, and their involvement is a guarantee of a bright future for TCR Australia,” said Lotti.

“Now that this new series has been definitely scheduled to start in 2019, we can’t wait for the opening event.

“It will be a landmark moment for TCR that lands on a fourth continent after Europe, Asia and the Americas, where TCR series have already been successfully established.

“This also represents a great challenge, because Touring Car racing is hugely popular in Australia and the local motorsport fans are enthusiastic and competent.

“We are confident that they will soon learn to love TCR just as has happened with their fellow fans across the rest of the world. We wish the Australian Racing Group success in launching and promoting TCR Australia.”

Matt Braid and Eugene Arocca – Photo: Supplied

TCR AUSTRALIA QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What car manufacturers will compete in TCR Australia next year?

Any car that is homologated to TCR Series specifications will be allowed to compete in the series. TCR Australia is currently in the early stages of negotiations with local race teams and car manufacturing bodies about the new series. Manufacturers with cars currently homologated to TCR Series rules include Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru and Volkswagen, among others.

What events will TCR Australia compete at?

The Australian Racing Group intends to meet with all motorsport event promotors, including Supercars and Shannons Nationals, regarding TCR Australia.

When will racing commence?

Negotiations are currently underway with all suitable promotors to host the new series, with racing planned to commence in late 2019.

Is TCR intended to be a rival touring car competition to the Supercars Championship?

No. While both the TCR Series and Supercars are ‘Touring Car’ categories, the vehicle specs and racing styles are completely different. TCR is intended as a strong support category to Supercars at a number of major national events. We see that TCR potentially has appeal to a younger, differentiated demographic, which complements and would fit well with Supercars from a support perspective.

Does TCR Australia have a website?

The TCR Australia is live now. For more information on the series, visit http://www.tcraustralia.com

AUSTRALIAN RACING GROUP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is the Australian Racing Group?

The Australian Racing Group is an all-Australian owned company which aims to develop and promote the highest-quality racing categories at major motorsport events in the region.

Does ARG intend to secure commercial and promotional rights to other motor racing categories?

ARG is open to expanding beyond the TCR Series and Super 5000, however, all of ARG’s current focus will be on a successful launch of the TCR Series in Australia in late 2019.

Does ARG have a website?

Yes. You can visit the Australian Racing Group at www.australianracinggroup.com.

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