D’Alberto: TCR needs Supercars
Former champion Tony D’Alberto believes it is critical for TCR Australia’s likely move to join the Supercars undercard in 2025 to come to fruition.
In a shock turn, the Australian Racing Group owned TCR category appears set to race at multiple Supercars events next year.
The tracks believed to be the front runners to feature TCR at Supercars rounds are Sydney Motorsport Park, Wanneroo and Townsville.
Following the announcement SRO Motorsports Australia has taken over the SpeedSeries from Motorsport Australia, ARG has ramped up its approach to become a Supercars support category.
This has only happened once in the five years the category has existed at the mammoth six-day Bathurst 1000 in 2021.
D’Alberto has been racing TCR since the very start, but 2024 will be the final season for both driver and manufacturer Honda.
TCR was just one of a massive number of support categories at the 2021 Bathurst 1000. Image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer
The 2022 champion feels for the front-wheel drive turbo category to grow, it needs the platform a Supercars round provides.
“For the success and future of TCR, it needs to get onto the Supercars calendar,” D’Alberto told AUTO ACTION.
“I have been there from the start and all the hurdles TCR have faced.
“Over the last couple of years it has got to a crossroads I guess trying to get onto the Supercars calendar.
“That would be a fantastic addition if they can make that happen.
“I think it is crucial for them and don’t think they can keep doing the same style of events and attract bigger numbers and grid sizes.
“They need to do something new and I feel like that is the direction that would help springboard and lift the profile and popularity of it.
“It is a great category. The racing is hard, the driving style is unique, the cars are cool.
“I think the environment it is in being the lead category for an event, the profile is just not high enough for it and it struggles to succeed, but being a support category for Supercars would work well.
“It would be a strong addition to Supercars because the racing is spectacular so it would add a lot to the program.”
Main image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer
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