Soutar sticking with TCR despite GT4 arrival

Soutar Motorsport remains committed to TCR despite taking on GT4 Australia as the family squad continues to expand.

Zac Soutar and Glenn Nirwan made their GT4 Australia debut in a McLaren Artura at Phillip Island and it was not the easiest debut.

They got off to a solid start, securing sixth in Pro Am honours on Saturday, recovering from a practice crash, but Sunday’s race only lasted one corner as Nirwan got unluckily caught up in the mess at Doohan Corner.

However, it was still a solid weekend with sister car Bailey and Rob Love getting an Am class podium.

Soutar said the GT4 journey started with Indonesian teammate Nirwan looking for something new and it coincides with the rise of his that is no longer a small privateer.

“Glenn was looking at his options this year and we felt that for him and what he wants to achieve GT4 is a better space for him to move into,” he told Auto Action.

“We can work closely together to improve each other’s driving so we moved across to GT4 and it has been so much fun.

“My dad and myself formally had a printing business and have moved away from that being full time in motorsport.

“We want to run a few GT4s with the TCR cars and also looking to get into Carrera Cup as well with a few customer cars.

“We are expanding and looking to see how far we can grow. It is not a privateer team anymore and hopefully people see it as a more professional outfit.”

There is intrigue surrounding the TCR Australia entry list after just 10 cars started the final race of 2024, while the 2025 season has been reduced to four rounds.

But after coming close to a maiden title last year, Soutar is locked in to launch a two-car attack in 2025.

“Our plan is to still run TCR this year with two cars,” he confirmed.

“It was a bit disappointing to just miss out and finish runner-up.

“We were really happy with last year and the plan is to go again.

“We have myself locked into my car and we are still looking for a driver (to replace Nirwan) for the sister Audi.

“We will find someone to find that seat and will go full attack on the championship.”

Soutar will be determined to go all the way after enjoying his best season yet in 2024.

He scored three wins at The Bend and Bathurst, but ultimately fell 18 points short.

“I’m really excited to be coming back to TCR Australia in the Tufflift Racing Audi in 2025,” said Soutar

“We’ve had an amazing experience in the series so far; we love the racing, the cars and I’m grateful that we’ve been able to put together another opportunity to come back and go again.

“We came up short last year, despite having such a great season and leading for a long time in the series, but unfortunately we didn’t quite get there in the end.

“We’re looking to go one better in 2025, so we’ll be giving it everything to try and make that happen.”

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine