MORE TO COME FROM PEUGEOT

More to come from Peugeot – Photo: Supplied

It has been a fraught debut by Peugeot in the final TCR Australia round at The Bend Motorsport Park as a wiring loom short has meant the new 308 TCR and driver Aurelien Comte has been a non-starter so far this weekend.

By HEATH McALPINE

Factory Peugeot team DG Sport has flown out a replacement unit and a technician with both arriving tonight to rectify the issue in expectation of racing tomorrow. The 308 TCR is also receiving assistance from Garry Rogers Motorsport, which has bought the car in a new relationship for the Melbourne-based team.

“We got approached by them [Peugeot] and were asked if we could help assist in running a car at Tailem Bend,” GRM director Barry Rogers told Auto Action.

“Discussions started then and from there we formed the relationship that we have some cars coming to Australia. It’s probably more on a customer base type situation from our point of view.”

Rogers confirmed that at least two cars will be on Australian shores, including the car that is at the Bend, but is eager to lock out the five slots that allowable for each brand in TCR Australia, while the construction of the car has impressed Rogers after viewing the car for the first time at The Bend.

“We have this one, another coming and we’re talking this weekend about the potential to bring another three in,” Rogers continued.

“It’s a real credit to the Peugeot factory. That car and we’ve been involved with a number of TCR cars, but the build quality of that car is top notch.

“I know they’ve had some issues here with the wiring loom this weekend, which is a shame, but it’s a real professional operation.

“We’re really pleased to have them here.”

Peugeot has been a successful marque with its 308 TCR across Europe having taken three wins during this year’s TCR Europe season.

GRM are also working hard with Vukovic Motorsport to develop the Renault Megane RS TCR and also run an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce for Jordan Cox, while aiding the similar models run out of Ash Seward Motorsport. Having recently announced it was leaving Supercars at the end of the year, GRM continues to further its commitment to TCR after a successful first season in 2019 with Rogers enthusiastic about the team’s involvement.

“We love this series because it goes back to the grass roots of what we’re about, giving people a chance to get into motor sport at a level that’s achievable,” Rogers said.

“On the expense level this category is achievable and it has global reach, it’s not just in an indigenous sport to our country. That’s nothing against Supercars, it is the best we have and one of the top classes in the world, but with this a young person can get involved, they can go to Asia, they can go to Europe.”

“We see the future is pretty bright in what we’re doing.”

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