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TCR SUBSIDIES IN THE PAST

TCR subsidies in the past - Image: InSyde Media

By Dan McCarthy

Australian Racing Group CEO Matt Braid has reiterated prospective entrants into TCR Australia will not be provided aid monetary aid in acquiring cars, which was prevalent during its maiden season in 2019.

To get the burgeoning category started in Australia, ARG bought a number of cars into the country including the two Volkswagen Golf GTI TCRs entered by Jason Bright and the pair of Kelly Racing Holden Astra TCRs among others. Freight was also paid for in some instances to enable a strong grid of entries to take part in the series two years ago.

Braid said it won’t happen in the future as interest continues to grow upon Toyota’s entry through its South American distributor in Argentina.

“We did that in the early days to help some people get started and in some cases we actually had a couple of cars ourselves, we even paid freight to help people get cars in early to save time,” Braid recalled.

“That’s a thing of the past.”

According to Braid, prospective entrants are organically being drawn to manufacturers as he expects the number of marques on the grid to grow based on the enquiries received.

“I think this one we won’t have to touch on,” Braid said of the Toyota. “I’m pretty sure there has been people on the phone already making enquiries and that’s the pleasing thing for us.

“Whenever there has been a new brand being talked about, whether it be MG, even Fiat and the Geely stuff too, the guys were quick to jump on it with enquiries being made.

“We haven’t had to start those enquiries we just keep an eye on someone who is going to buy cars.

“We think overall that early-20s as being the number for this year and ideally growing for 2022.”

Also revealed was the stillborn Mazda project led by its US division maybe back in the development stages after it was cancelled last year.

“I think the Toyota and the Mazda product, that looks like it will be restarted, those two brands will be highly targeted amongst the competitors,” Braid said.

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