TCR AUSTRALIA SWITCHES FOCUS TO 2021

TCR Australia switches focus to 2021 – Photo: InSyde Media

Conceding defeat on running a championship in 2020, Australian Racing Group has turned its attention to 2021 with the release of the preliminary schedule for TCR Australia Series and National Trans Am Series.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

With coronavirus-induced border controls having prevented this years season from getting underway properly, ARG is now instead gearing up for a breakout 2021 season with both TCR Australia and the new Trans Am Series which will run parallel schedules.

“ARG is pleased to move forward with our racing plans and schedule for 2021 after what can only be described as a difficult and challenging 2020,” said Matt Braid, Australian Racing Group CEO. 

“Our competitors have remained patient and resilient during this time, and I know that everyone is really excited to get back behind the wheel, entertaining the fans at the track and TV viewers around Australia.

“The circuits on our calendar offer our competitors a great mix of our best race tracks, including ARG’s first trip to Symmons Plains in Tasmania.

“We have also built in a number of contingency plans into our 2021 dates and venues, considering how quickly the world can change. This will keep us flexible and agile in these uncertain times. 

“Despite the fact that our TCR cars and drivers have been parked for almost a year, the desire of teams to get back out and showcase this fantastic international touring car formula is second to none. We know they are going to produce a great show when they hit the track.

“We saw some of the best Trans Am action at the Adelaide street circuit earlier this year, and some of the competitors have been keeping match fit in other events during the COVID break, so there’s a lot of anticipation to again see these drivers come back together and compete for their first national series.”

As confirmed by Garry Rogers, the season will get underway in January with the ARG promoted ‘Race Tasmania’ festival with Round 1 at Symmons Plains Raceway will be run over three days, starting on Sunday and concluding on Australia Day (Tuesday, January 26).

Teams will remain in Tasmania with a unique invitational challenge event incorporating Trans Am, TCR and S5000 at Baskerville Raceway just four days later, but this will not count towards either categories championship.

TCR Australia and Trans Am will then link back up with the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships for Rounds 2 to 6.

Round 2 for both categories will be held at the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in February at a date to be confirmed.

The Bathurst 6 Hour will host Round 3 with TCR Australia and Trans Am on the support card on the Easter weekend, marking the long-awaited debut for TCR at Mount Panorama.

Round 4 will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on the first weekend of May.

Queensland hosts Round 4 with teams headed to Morgan Park Raceway in the country town of Warwick in what will be the circuit’s biggest ever national race meeting.

The final points-paying round will be held at Sandown on September 10-12 where the series champion for 2021 will be crowned.

The last event for the year will be at the Bathurst International in November or December (date TBA).

All TCR Australia and Trans Am rounds, including the Bathurst 6 Hour and the Bathurst International events, will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network and its 7plus streaming platform.

Provisional 2021 TCR Australia Series and Trans Am calendar

Round 1 – Symmons Plains Raceway, January 24-26
NC – Baskerville Raceway, January 29-31
Round 2 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, February TBA
Round 3 – Mount Panorama, Bathurst, April 2-4
Round 4 – Sydney Motorsport Park, April 30-May 2
Round 5 – Morgan Park Raceway, June 25-27
Round 6 – Sandown Raceway, September 10-12
NC – Bathurst International, TBA

The racing calendars for the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, Touring Car Masters and V8 Touring Cars categories, also part of the ARG portfolio, are expected to be announced shortly.

For more of the latest TCR Australia news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.