NEW AUDI TCR SET TO RACE IN AUSTRALIA

In 2022 Audi’s new WTCR race winning machine, the latest RS3 LMS TCR will compete in the TCR Australia Series.

In recent weeks Audi Sport’s Martorell factory in Spain has opened up to global customer orders, with TCR Australia team Melbourne Performance Centre already securing one of the machines.

The new RS3 LMS TCR is the latest evolution of the machine currently raced by Chaz Mostert and Luke King in this year’s TCR Australia Series with the pair currently sitting 1-2 in the standings.

The model currently raced in TCR Australia is Audi Sport’s most produced TCR car, with more than 180 built since 2016.

In that time, it has won over 300 races globally, including seven victories in TCR Australia – five for Chaz Mostert in 2021, and one each for Garth Tander and Frenchman Jean Karl Vernay in 2019.

The new RS3 has taken two victories in WTCR, the world TCR series.

The Audi Sport factory has improved the new model in several areas with tunability being a focus of the new model, providing high variability and quick adjustments.

As well as this, the interior ergonomics have been altered by grouping buttons on the steering and to the right of the driver so they are easier to access, while safety was further enhanced by Audi Sport’s own six-point fixation Protection Seat.

Melbourne Performance Centre co-owner Troy Russell is keen for the new RS3 LMS TCR’s arrival.

“A new car is always good to have,” said Russell.

“From what we have seen in the images and information provided by Audi Sport, the new RS3 is an extremely good car. It’s probably the best TCR car that has ever been built.

“This one is really an evolution of the older model, which still remains competitive as proven by Chaz and Luke this year.

“With the way that the TCR balance of performance works, it’s not going to be allowed to race off into the distance. But what we do know is that the car is going to be very competitive straight out of the box.

“We are excited for it to land here in Australia and really looking forward to getting our hands on it.”

The driver of the new RS3 has not yet been confirmed, however the interest is very high according to Russell, as a second could join the team’s fleet if the right deal falls into place.

“We have quite a few parties interested in driving the new car,” said Russell.

“We’ll definitely have one on track, and if some things work our way, we might have two as well. It will be a matter of seeing how the next month or so plays out.

“The great thing is that despite the pause that we’re all facing, interest in TCR remains very strong in the market.”

Several weeks ago, Russell told Auto Action that the team would like to see its new driver Jay Hanson step into a new car next year.

Head of Audi Sport customer racing, Chris Reinke is excited to see a new Audi represented on the TCR Australia grid.

“We have seen great, great interest from all national importers of Audi Sport’s to try to get a car early on, which is also very positive for us that they are all behind it,” Reinke said.

“There’s excitement for TCR, which is happening in Australia, similarly in the US and Canada, in Japan, China, so we have reserved cars for each region.

“We can’t wait to deliver the first cars by the end of the year.

“We delivered in the first 10 months more than 100 cars when we bought the first RS3 LMS TCR onto the market and I think the Gen II car has the genes to live up to this very success.”

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