Wall Racing and Honda yet to confirm TCR title defence

Wall Racing is on top of the TCR Australia world after Tony D’Alberto secured the 2022 championship in thrilling circumstances at the recent Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.

The sweet victory sealed in a tense season-ending race on Sunday was the crowning moment of a long and successful three-year partnership between driver, team and manufacturer.

D’Alberto, Wall Racing and Honda have been together since the category’s inception in Australia since 2019 after the former full-time Supercars steerer personally approached the Japanese manufacturer for support.

The move paid off and it all came together at Mount Panorama where Honda executives were in the garage cheering D’Alberto on during the nail-biting conclusion to the season.

Tony D’Alberto in action at the Bathurst International last weekend. Image: Daniel Kalisz

Although both driver of the #50 Honda Civic Type R and team owner David Wall were ecstatic after the glory, neither could confirm where or not the famous Japanese brand would return to defend the crown in 2023.

D’Alberto said discussion have started and the final call is with Honda, but stated he would love to be the first reigning TCR Australia champion to race with the #1 on the door next year.

“We have already discussed next year a little bit, but it will come down to what Honda want to do, whether they want to keep investing in the category,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“But as far as I know everyone is pretty happy. We will have to make a decision soon because Wally needs to know whether we are going or not.

“But the intention is to go again and use the number one on the car.

“No champion has done the following year with number one, so I would like to be the first one.

“We will see how things pan out.”

Honda and Wall Racing teamed up to take out the big trophy in the 2022 TCR Australia season. Image: Daniel Kalisz

Wall said he hopes the trio’s successful partnership continues and is aiming for a decision to be made around the new year after the celebrations and a well-earned rest.

“Absolutely we want to be back, but we can confirm that at the moment? No,” the team owner and former Supercars star told AUTO ACTION.

“Being the day after the last round it is very difficult to do, but we hope to have some sort of finalisation before Christmas, if not very early next year, so we can get ourselves prepared and see what is around the corner.

“But for now we are just enjoying what we have been able to achieve and look forward to having a Christmas break.”

Hear more from the men who took out the 2022 TCR Australia championship in this week’s edition of AUTO ACTION magazine.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of Auto Action.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.