Sydney to join Bathurst in TCR World Tour?

Sydney Motorsport Park could become the second stop down under on the new international TCR World Tour alongside Bathurst.

Mount Panorama was confirmed as the first Australian race of the series which will visit four continents during the recent Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.

The boss of both the WSC Group and the popular turbocharged category Marcello Lotti was at Mount Panorama watching the action last weekend and revealed a second race down under would also be held with numerous circuits in the running.

WSC and Australian Racing Group have been holding discussions around which other circuit will land the coveted TCR World Tour round alongside Bathurst with Symmons Plains, Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island, Queensland Raceway and Sandown all hosting TCR action this year.

However, it appears Sydney Motorsport Park is the frontrunner after some comments made by Argentine WTCR star Nestor Girolami.

Nestor Girolami in action at the latest WTCR round in Bahrain. Photo: Alexandre Guillaumot / DPPI

The LL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Honda driver currently sits second in the global championship and was discussing a range of topics on Argentine motorsport show Carburando.

Girolami said he expects to be racing at two New South Wales venues in 2023.

“The teams are happy from what I can understand that a new championship is generated,” he said.

“We will be in Europe, America, Australia, Asia to really make a championship again, but with the TCR drivers of the world.

“When we go to Australia we are going to run in Sydney and Bathurst.”

A round at SMP would make sense from a logistical point of view.

The TCR World Tour could be going night racing in Sydney. Image: Jack Martin Photography

There was a hope the second event can be an exisiting major event with timing that works with the teams who will be in the middle of a global travelling circus with precious time.

Having two rounds held less than 200km apart in the same state New South Wales will keep all the stresses associated with travelling to a minimum.

The track itself also occupies a special place in TCR Australia history hosting the category’s first ever race in this country back in 2019, while the stunning spectacle of night racing is also possible.

Despite Girolami’s comments, the second Australian event is yet to be officially confirmed as excitement builds ahead of the inaugural TCR World Tour next year.

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