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RICCIARDO DRIVES OZ-BOUND TCR RENAULT

Renault TCR driven by Daniel Ricciardo bound for Australia - Photo: Supplied

By Bruce Williams

Renault TCR driven by Daniel Ricciardo bound for Australia - Photo: Supplied

Renault TCR driven by Daniel Ricciardo bound for Australia – Photo: Supplied

RECLUSIVE PATRON Brian Boyd is understood to have upped his investment in the fledgling TCR Australia Series even further by buying two Renault Meganes that will be raced by Garry Rogers Motorsport.

By BRUCE NEWTON

Built by Renault Sport supplier Vukovic Motorsport in Switzerland, the cars are being added to the two Alfa Romeo Giuliettas already in GRM’s stable for TCR, which kicks off at Sydney Motorsport Park in May.

While Jimmy Vernon has been signed for one of the Alfas, no drivers have been confirmed for the Renaults.

But one of the two cars headed here has been recently driven by Australia’s F1 star Daniel Ricciardo in a publicity stunt in the UK.

The Renaults join the GRM Alfas and confirmed entries for Audis, Hondas, Hyundais and VWs.

GRM’s Barry Rogers confirmed the Renaults’ drivers would have to bring funding.

“Budget’s important, for sure, because you have to pay for the whole thing,” Rogers said. “There are plenty of gentleman drivers out there who can pay for it, but we won’t be taking them.

“We want guys with a bit of a profile who are quick. We’ve had a bit of a chat to a couple.”

Meanwhile, it is understood Renault Australia is considering some sort of support for GRM’s Megane TCR program, although that had not been confirmed as Auto Action went to press.

The Megane TCR is powered by a 1.8-litre turbo four borrowed from the Juke R of Renault alliance partner Nissan.

Boyd, a prolific motor racing sponsor via his property development and investment company Payce, has also bankrolled the local TCR deal and its promoter, the Australian Racing Group.

Typically, considering his insistence on a low profile, Boyd’s connection to the two Meganes is not being confirmed by ARG or GRM. It is also not known if Boyd plans to sell the Meganes to GRM or anyone else.

GRM’s Barry Rogers told AA that he and team technical director Richard Holloway inspected the Meganes during their trip to Europe in January, when the Alfas were purchased.

“We went to Subaru, Honda, Alfa, Renault and Peugeot, and afterwards we analysed everything,” said Rogers, the son of team owner Garry. “The heart said Renault, but the brain said the Alfa was the more suitable car.

“The Renault struggled in 2018 and they have developed a new car for 2019. It’s a bit of a punt, but we like the brand and like the people to deal with.

“Vukovic Motorsport is a bit smaller than us, actually, but a really passionate group.”

Along with the Alfa and Renault TCR programs, GRM is funding and building 14 Onroak-Ligier S5000s for the new V8-powered open-wheeler category that is also managed by ARG.

Add the Boost Mobile Racing Supercars squad and GRM is taking on a huge program in 2019, although it is understood one of the Alfas will be run by another team.

“We really need to give our guys work and one thing led to another, to be honest,” Rogers explained. “We didn’t sit down with a notepad and plan for the next five years. I mean, really, we fly by the seat of our pants a bit.

“We saw the opportunity and said ‘Let’s do it’.”

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