Totani becomes new TCR Category Manager, McMellan to SRO

Lisa Totani will be the new Category Manager of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia series into 2024 as Ben McMellan steps up to head SRO.

On the Tuesday after the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International, Australian Racing Group Barry Rogers confirmed the change of personnel in a letter assigned to all TCR teams and competitors.

Since TCR arrived on Australian shores in 2019, McMellan has performed the role of Head of Category Operations and TCR Australia Category Manager.

But after the final round of the fourth season won by Josh Buchan at Mount Panorama last weekend, it has been revealed he will change direction.

Instead McMellan will transition to becoming the Head of SRO Motorsport Group Australia.

In 2024 SRO is expanding its motorsport footprint in Australia with the arrival of a new GT4 Australia category that will run within the SpeedSeries.

McMellan’s successor, Totani arrives with extensive experience within the ARG setup.

She has overseen S5000 as the category manager throughout the 2023 season which will wrap up at the VAILO Adelaide 500.

Totani has also spent three years as part of the ARG’s TV production crew.

Next year the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season will remain at seven rounds and welcome back the TCR World Tour for a double header at Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst.

Rogers thanked McMellan for his time as TCR Category Manager and welcomed Totani.

“First congratulations on delivering two excellent rounds over the past two weekends. Race Sydney and the Bathurst International WSC rounds were entertaining and truly a reflection of a fantastic global racing series,” Rogers said.

“The past two weeks have been very busy, and we wanted to inform teams and competitors post event that Ben McMellan will be stepping down as Category Manager of TCR Australia to take up a role as Head of SRO Motorsport Group Australia.

“Ben has done an outstanding job in this role, and we thank him for his contribution to both TCR Australia and the Australian Racing Group.

“We would like to announce that Lisa Totani will take over as Category Manager of the TCR Series. 

“Lisa was appointed Category Manager of S5000 for the 2023 season and has been part of the Australian Racing Group TV production crew for 3 years.”

It is the latest development in a big year of change for ARG with the likes of Liam Curkpatrick, Ken Collier, John McMellan, Grant Rowley and Chris Lambden, who all departed throughout 2023.

Image: RACE PROJECT

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