High stakes in final “local” TCR round
Whilst there are still three rounds to go, this weekend’s trip to Sandown will be the final “local” event of the 2023 TCR season and there is a lot to play for.
Sandown is the last TCR tussle before the World Tour circus comes to town for the visits to Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst.
There is lots to play for at the iconic Victorian with just a single point separating Hyundai teammates Josh Buchan and Bailey Sweeny after five competitive rounds of racing.
Wet weather added an extra element to proceedings at Sandown in 2022. Image: DANIEL KALISZ PHOTOGRAPHER
Buchan’s lead was slashed 36 points to one at Queensland Raceway
Despite having the most to lose, Buchan is hoping for chaos with Sandown long straights not anticipated to assist the i30N.
“I’m hoping for a repeat of last year, with lots of rain and lots of chaos,” Buchan said.
“It’s what we want, as – like Queensland Raceway – it’s not the kind of track that will play to our strengths in normal conditions. Having said that, the two sections of corners in between the drag strips are some of my favourite stretches of bitumen in Australia.
“I don’t know how realistic it will be to hold on to the championship lead – even after qualifying – this weekend, but I’ll do my best.
Despite a tough weekend for Hyundai, Bailey Sweeny made big inroads in the 2023 TCR championship. Image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer
“There are still two big events to come after this with the TCR World Tour at Sydney Motorsport Park and the Bathurst International, and while it’s nice to lead it doesn’t mean much at this point.
“I’ve got my eyes forward on the rest of the year and making sure I’m there at the end, and not just right now.”
Garry Rogers Motorsport teammates Aaron Cameron and Jordan Cox cannot be discounted as the others beyond the 400-point barrier.
Reigning champion Tony D’Alberto also got some form under his belt and climbed into the top five.
But the driver with all the momentum behind him is Will Brown, who turned a tough 2023 season around.
After struggling to finish across the first two rounds, Brown dominated at Ipswich.
Will Brown rides the turn three kerb at last year’s TCR trip to Sandown. Image: DANIEL KALISZ PHOTOGRAPHER
The Audi was untouchable in two of the three races and came within 1s of making it a clean sweep.
There are some returning names to the entry list including third generation racer Clay Richards, who has switched allegiances.
After making his TCR debut in an Audi and finishing second in his second race at Winton, the son of Steven Richards will be driving a Peugeot.
The drive sees the Richards and Bargwanna names reunite with Clay driving the Hangcha Forklifts 308 as teammate to Ben Bargwanna.
The Lynk & Co will be back in the experienced hands of Tom Oliphant, who was overseas during the Ipswich round.
The Bargwanna’s will be hoping to replicate similar Sandown speed to last year when Ben took a race win. The others were shared by Cameron and Michael Caruso.
Sandown’s 2023 TCR round will be highlighted by the usual three-race format with the first on Saturday afternoon.
Main image by Daniel Kalisz Photographer
TCR Sandown schedule
Friday, September 8
11:25 am – 11:55 am Practice 1
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Practice 2
Saturday, September 9
11:40 am – 11:55 am Qualifying 1
12:00 pm – 12:10 pm Qualifying 2
3:35 pm – 4:05 pm Race 1
Sunday, September 10
12:40 pm – 1:10 pm Race 2
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm Race 3
TCR Sandown entry list
| Car # | SPONSOR | DRIVER | STATE | VEHICLE | MODEL | CC | COLOUR |
| 1 | Honda Wall Racing | Tony D’Alberto | VIC | Honda | Civic FK7 TCR | 1998 | Red/White |
| 4 | Hangcha Forklifts | Clay Richards | VIC | Peugeot | 308 TCR | 1800 | Blue/Red/White |
| 9 | MPC Team LIQUI MOLY | Will Brown | QLD | Audi | RS3 LMS TCR | 1984 | White/Blue/Red |
| 14 | Purple Sector | Lachlan Mineeff | NSW | Audi | RS3 LMS SEQ | 1998 | Orange |
| 15 | Carl Cox Motorspport | Michael Clemente | VIC | Cupra | Leon Competicion TCR | 1998 | Black/Red |
| 18 | Team Valvoline GRM | Aaron Cameron | VIC | Peugeot | 308 TCR | 1600 | Red |
| 22 | Challenge Motorsport | Iain McDougall | VIC | Audi | RS3 LMS SEQ | 1984 | Red/Silver |
| 30 | HMO Customer Racing | Josh Buchan | NSW | Hyundai | i30N Sedan | 1999 | Blue/Orange |
| 33 | Schaeffler GRM | Jordan Cox | NSW | Peugeot | 308 TCR | 1600 | Green/White |
| 41 | Valvoline Racing GRM | Kody Garland | NSW | Peugeot | 308 TCR | 1800 | Red |
| 71 | Burson Auto Parts Racing | Ben Bargwanna | VIC | Peugeot | 308 TCR | 1600 | Blue/Red/White |
| 110 | Team Soutar Motorsport | Zac Soutar | VIC | Audi | RS3 LMS TCR | 1998 | Black/Yellow |
| 115 | Autoglym / Ashley Seward Motorsport | Tom Oliphant | UK | Lynk & Co | CO 03 TCR | 1750 | White/Red/Green |
| 130 | HMO Customer Racing | Bailey Sweeny | NSW | Hyundai | i30N TCR | 1999 | Blue/Orange |
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