TCM BATHURST FINALE CONFIRMED

The 2021 Touring Car Masters Series (TCM) will hold its finale at Mount Panorama, reducing the competition to four rounds.

After three rounds at Symmons Plains, Mount Panorama and Sydney Motorsport Park earlier in the year, a round during the six-day Bathurst 1000 event will complete the series calendar.

As a result, 16 races will count towards the 2021 season standings.

Six events were originally scheduled but TCM Category Management and Motorsport Australia have confirmed that the various outright series and class titles will still be awarded following the Bathurst event this December.

Four races will be held during the final round, offering up 200 points to the 10 drivers in contention for the outright TCM title.

TCM Category Manager Liam Curkpatrick was satisfied with the final outcome.

“It’s great to have some certainty in uncertain times when it comes to finalizing the Gulf Western Oil TCM championship,” Curkpatrick said.

“TCM was fortunate to get three very competitive rounds in at the start of the year which means we’ve had 12 races towards the championship so far.

“It’s a meaningful number and once Bathurst is complete there will be four more to add to that list.

“Four rounds is a short championship, but it is enough racing to ensure that the winners will have absolutely earned their trophies.

“Interest in the Bathurst event has been strong and we’re looking forward to completing the TCM season in style this December.”

So far, each round has been won by a different driver, and eight competitors have scored race wins.

Australian motorsport icon John Bowe leads the championship by 10 points over Ryan Hansford, while Marcus Zukanovic and Cameron Tilley are tied for third.

Three-time and defending champion Steven Johnson is in fifth.

Elsewhere in the leader boards, the ProMasters, ProAm and ProSports categories also remain wide open.

The 2020 series was even more heavily impacted by COVID than this year, cancelled after just one completed round.

The six-day Bathurst 1000 event will be held between November 30 – December 5.

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