TCR BLOCKED: NO ADELAIDE, BUT AT THE GRAND PRIX

TCR Australia blocked from Adelaide 500 program – Photo: InSyde Media

TCR Australia will not participate at next year’s Adelaide 500 event after being slated to be a support category at the Supercars Championship opener.

Confirmed by Australian Racing Group director Matt Braid this morning at an announcement of TCR Australia’s support role at the Australian Grand Prix, the burgeoning touring car category will fail to make an appearance in Adelaide after it was revealed last week by Auto Action that Supercars had objected to TCR Australia racing at its traditional series opener.

“Adelaide is a fantastic event, we’d love to be there, but we won’t be there for 2020,” Braid said.

“We’ve been talking to everybody about TCR looking for opportunities for the category. Yes, there were some discussions, but with what’s transpired and obviously with some difficulties and challenges there for us that unfortunately as much as we’d love to be there.

“Ultimately we’d like to be in Adelaide, it’s a great event, but not in 2020.”

With the Adelaide event a non-starter, TCR Australia will open its season at the Australian Grand Prix on March 12-15 in front of a worldwide audience.

“It’s the biggest international motor sport event in the country, to showcase TCR there and to have as the first race for TCR in 2020. It’s a fantastic opportunity, we’re very looking forward to it,” Braid concluded.

Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott also confirmed Supercars played no role in the decision to include TCR Australia on its support program is excited by the potential of the country’s newest tin-top series.

“None at all and I don’t think there really should be,” Westacott stated when queried about Supercars involvement.

“It’s part of the Grand Prix program, the Grand Prix Corporation is the one that sets the agenda and it’s about getting the best motor sport in Australia and the best motor sport in the world. We’ve got Formula 1, Supercars as a championship round and we’re now really, really pleased to have TCR showcasing these fantastic beasts around this track.

“It’s going to be a great showcase; it’s going to be exciting racing for the crowds of Melbourne.”

Westacott emphasised that the event’s plan is to exhibit Australian motor sport on a world scale and TCR Australia along with Supercars perfectly fits the bill.

“It’s about showcasing Australian motor sport and we work with Supercars on things like the Larry Perkins Trophy and their race formats,” Westacott said.

“We don’t need to go politely all the other race categories with Supercars.”

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