Lynk & Co ready for next challenge after latest test

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 7 June 2023

Ashley Seward Motorsport is primed for its next challenge in the new Lynk & Co TCR at Winton this weekend after a recent test at the same circuit.

Lynk & Co is the latest manufacturer to join the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series and the new car made its debut at the recent Phillip Island round.

The driver behind the wheel of the #115 Lynk & Co TCR 03 is Brit Tom Oliphant, who was extremely pleased with how the Winton test went.

“We had a superb day at Winton, the test went very well,” said Oliphant.

“As with any new car, we’re learning new things in every session and we were able to make great improvements throughout the day.”

The test not only represented a chance for Oliphant to get to know more about the Lynk & Co car, but also a first taste of the twisty Winton track.

With the next TCR round taking place at the country Victorian circuit this weekend, it was an invaluable opportunity for the two-time BTCC race winner to gain some knowledge ahead of the big weekend.

Oliphant’s initial impressions were positive, believing it is similar to the circuits he knows well in England.

“I have now become comfortable with the Winton track,” he said.

“It’s extremely stop-start in nature, even compared to what I’ve driven in the UK, but it certainly shares a similar style to what I’ve spent many years driving.”

Tom Oliphant driving the Lynk and Co TCR into MG at Phillip Island. Images: Daniel Kalisz

Despite a mechanical in the opening race, Ashley Seward Motorsport was pleased to record two top 10 finishes from its first Lynk & Co outing at Phillip Island.

One area of improvement established from the Lynk & Co debut was nailing starts and Oliphant stated data obtained in Europe will help him overcome the hurdle.

Also with heavy rain forecast for at least Friday, he hopes conditions could play into his hands.

“Our race starts weren’t optimal over the first two races at Phillip Island,” Oliphant reflected.

“We’ve received data and info from Europe that’s going to assist us in making alterations to our start procedure.

“The forecast says there’ll be a threat of rain which doesn’t phase me, I’m British!

“Wet weather is pretty much a 50/50 chance at every meeting over there, so I’m confident in my abilities to adapt if we get some adverse conditions.”

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will hold three races at Winton this weekend.

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

If you can’t get a copy locally, you can also subscribe to the print or digital edition of the magazine here.

PODCAST: The latest episode of the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast is out now!

Andrew Clarke and Auto Action’s Bruce Williams and Paul Gover sat down for a candid chat on the teams, drivers and the #Supercars series championship.

Listen to the RevLimiter podcast on your podcast app of choice or here on the RevLimiter website

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.

Recent Stories

array ( 0 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 11, 'name' => 'Latest News', 'slug' => 'latest-news', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 11, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 16790, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 11, 'category_count' => 16790, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'Latest News', 'category_nicename' => 'latest-news', 'category_parent' => 0, )), 1 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 659, 'name' => 'National', 'slug' => 'national', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 659, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 4680, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 659, 'category_count' => 4680, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'National', 'category_nicename' => 'national', 'category_parent' => 0, )), 2 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 1527, 'name' => 'TCR', 'slug' => 'tcr', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 1527, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 659, 'count' => 579, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 1527, 'category_count' => 579, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'TCR', 'category_nicename' => 'tcr', 'category_parent' => 659, )), 3 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 2029, 'name' => 'ZZZ-Email', 'slug' => 'email', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 2031, 'count' => 7346, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 2029, 'category_count' => 7346, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email', 'category_nicename' => 'email', 'category_parent' => 2031, )), 4 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 1683, 'name' => 'ZZZ-My105', 'slug' => 'my105', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 1683, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 2031, 'count' => 2165, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 1683, 'category_count' => 2165, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-My105', 'category_nicename' => 'my105', 'category_parent' => 2031, )), 5 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 2031, 'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds', 'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 6701, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 2031, 'category_count' => 6701, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds', 'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds', 'category_parent' => 0, )), )