ARG SWITCHES TCR STRATEGY

ARG switches TCR strategy – Photo: Supplied

Having financially aided entries into the inaugural TCR series last season, the Australian Racing Group now expects the grid to find its own funding for this year.

By BRUCE NEWTON

ARG says it is still investing in TCR and other categories it promotes, citing the new broadcast deal with Channel 7 being produced by Supercars Media, but says it won’t be subsidising entries in the field.

In fact, it is currently selling off the TCR racers it brought into the country to kickstart last season’s series. A byproduct of that change in strategy will also likely mean fewer guest “star” drivers appearing in TCR.

“In the first year of the series we obviously invested to get it up and running, to get to the show where it was,” ARG CEO Matt Braid told Auto Action.

“For year two it’s basically about consolidation now. We feel that we have done the investment, we have significantly invested in TV production and the like to boost the show.

“So our investment is still there in the series, but maybe in different areas in 2020.”

Braid is confident the change in financial policy won’t have a significant impact on the size of the TCR grid.

About 28 cars are expected to front for the TCR Asia Pacific Cup at Albert Park in early March, with the seven-round carsales TCR Australia Series forecast to attract a regular field of 23 to 24 cars.

In total there are currently 33 TCR cars in Australia.

The TCR season will culminate with a 500km race at Mount Panorama in November.

“After year one everyone has been able to see what budgets are and what’s required and it’s still one of the most cost-effective touring car or racing categories in Australia,” Braid said.

“You can see by the nature of who has joined this year and who is announced there are obviously different drivers coming in and different business models announced.

“We are not concerned about anyone dropping out. I think the series has shown and the investment has shown it’s viable and it’s got a high profile, so the grid numbers should take care of themselves.”

The cars ARG is believed to have brought into Australia for the first season included two Opel Astras, two Subaru WRXs, two Volkswagen Golf GTIs and an Audi RS3.

“Some of those cars are for sale, some are for lease, some have been disposed of,” said Braid.

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