Historic TCM season to shake up 2025

It’s just under one month now until the 2025 Touring Car Masters (TCM) season begins, with a stellar Supercar-only calendar that kicks off on February 21-23 at SMP.

The six round season that will include viewing on live Fox Sport coverage, as well as three rounds with live Channel 7 coverage, will be front and centre for race fans as the category continues to reinvent itself and return to its proper mantle as the “fan favourite” category.

The other change on the cards for the upcoming season is that the former MA Technical Delegate for TCM – Dean Bryant – has now stepped up as category and series manager.

Bryant spoke with Auto Action about the upcoming year, and what fans can expect on the track, with the incoming series manager not hiding the fact that he thinks TCM is well and truly back and, in its healthiest state in years.

“I feel we are on the cusp of something pretty special to be honest,” Bryant began.

“Towards the latter part of this year we’re looking at great grid numbers to go with a very healthy one to start the year.

A Supercars-exclusive calendar in 2025 is a big plus for TCM fans around the country. Image/Main Image: James Smith Photography

“The other thing is that there’s a lot of stability in the rules, they haven’t changed for a few years now and this season we’ve further massaged the revs and RPM register which will bring the field a bit closer together.

“Supercars have shown faith, and not only have they given us the six rounds, but it’s six of the best! That obviously includes Bathurst and the Triple Crown also, which for my money, is the best event in the country.”

And with Duggan Family Hotels again in a joint sponsorship arrangement for a couple of key events – which this year will include a Duggan sponsor tent where the trophies will be presented – there is even more positive news for fans around what is already the best garage/tent set up in the land.

And in terms of the machinery, there’s also some new cars joining the grid, which is a further and much needed injection of future strength.

That will include a second Torana to Danny Buzadzic’s General Western Bodyworks team, another VC Commodore should be added to the field later in the season via the hands of the well respected and credentialed engineer Derek van Zelm, and a new addition from Dean Lillie, who enjoyed his time in the Hancock Brut 33 Mustang in 2024.

Lillie has announced a new Boss 302 Fastback Mustang for mid-year debut, which promises to be a potential giant killer with an intriguing rev and weight advantage that has made regulation.

With 8,000 revs and a five litre motor, the addition is certainly a positive one.

“It looks like Sydney will have somewhere between 16 and 20 cars on the grid, which is a strong number considering the early start date and that it’s far stronger than the previous three years,” Bryant added.

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