Soutar makes Audi TCR Switch

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 20 January 2023

TCR privateer Zac Souter will go into season 2023 making the switch from Honda to an Audi RS3 LMS, in an effort to challenge for the title.

Soutar turned some heads with some great racing in 2022, finishing sixth in the standings, which included an opening round win in Tasmania, the first in the category for a privateer racer.

The young Vic speedster hopes to progress up the grid with his new latest-spec Audi machinery, which has been successful across the globe in TCR, with rival Jay Hanson claiming four wins and three poles in an Audi RS3 last season.

Jay Hanson racing the Audi RS3 LMS at Symmons Plains last season. Image: Daniel Kalisz

Soutar and his family run team – Team Soutar Motorsport – will take possession of the car in February, just ahead of the opening round at Symmons Plains for Round 1 of the SpeedSeries.

“We’re really excited to announce we’ll be racing a brand-new Audi RS3 LMS TCR,” said Soutar.

“There’s been a massive amount of hard work in the background to try and put deals together as we figured out how to make this all happen, but I’m delighted to say it has.

“It was a very tough decision, my family and the team loved the Honda as it was our first TCR entry of which we put many hours into it to make it fast, beautiful and competitive. It is sad to see it go, but I think the Audi is the next step for myself and the team.

“We’ve really enjoyed our relationship with both Wall Racing and JAS Motorsport over the past few seasons, and we thank them for all of their help. Initially we were planning to continue on in the Honda for season 2023, but the opportunity to jump into a brand-new Audi was just too good to turn away from.

“We’ll form a relationship with Melbourne Performance Centre, but obviously Team Soutar Motorsport will continue to run the entry. The good thing with MPC is the team is Melbourne-based and we’re in Geelong, so to get parts or meet with the squad is really easy now.”

Soutar will be looking to climb the TCR standings in 2023 after aquiring a brand new Audi RS3 LMS

Soutar is excited for the upcoming season, as the new TCR World Tour comes to Australian shores, starting with the Bathurst International.

“We’ve backed TCR since the moment we entered it. I love TCR and it’s a great category. I like the fact that it’s worldwide. The coolest part about this year is the world is coming to us, so there couldn’t be a better time to be in TCR or to be upgrading like we are to have a really good crack at the title,” he continued.

“For us, I think my team will really step it up this season as we have the experience and the Audi is a great all round package, so I’m hoping to challenge for the title come the end of the year.”

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series opens its season as part of the third annual AWC Race Tasmania at Symmons Plains on February 24-26.

2023 TCR Australia Calendar

Round 1: Race Tasmania, Symmons Plains – 24-26 February
Round 2: Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour – 7-9 April
Round 3: Victoria TBC – 26-28 May
Round 4: Sydney Motorsport Park – 23-25 June
Round 5: Queensland Raceway – 11-13 August
Round 6: Sandown International Raceway – 15-17 September
Round 7: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International – 10-12 November

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport

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Soutar makes Audi TCR Switch

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