TCR gears up for possible Friday running

With freight arriving sooner than expected, there is a growing chance TCR might hit the track today at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend.

The first sight of TCR Australia in 2025 and the World Tour Down Under in two years was scheduled to be held at 8.55 Friday morning.

But freight delays during the week forced organisers to shuffle the schedule and push the opening TCR practice until 7.50 Saturday morning.

However, there is a growing chance the category will hit the track today as the paddock welcomes TCR World Tour cargo.

Containers have started arriving, and the last portion is expected to arrive at The Bend before 11.00 local time.

As a result, if the World Tour teams can get set up in time, the field could enjoy a bonus shakedown to come to grips with the 4.95KM circuit Friday evening after the third Supercars practice.

Trucks delivering TCR World Tour equipment to The Bend. Image: Auto Action

“The first official practice is tomorrow morning, but we are hoping to do a shakedown session tonight to make sure all of the cars are running and everyone gets their eye in,” TCR Australia driver Zac Soutar told Auto Action.

“Fingers crossed it all goes ahead, but it all comes down to how fast everyone gets set up.

“I think the very last of the containers are less than an hour away, so it has exceeded everyone’s expectations, and Gibson Freight has done a great job in a bad situation.”

It will be a welcome bonus for a category that has endured a tough 2025 season with the Australian season shrunk to the solitary round this weekend in South Australia.

It has left drivers like Soutar, champing at the bit to get back behind the wheel, especially against the best in the world.

“I am so excited to race in the TCR World Tour,” he said.

“Not only has it been a long wait, but this week has also been pretty stressful due to the freight delays and not knowing when the containers are going to arrive.

The TCR World Tour paddock is slowly starting to take shape. Image: Auto Action

“But as we speak they are getting dropped off and we will have an event this weekend so I am massively excited to go racing.”

Due to TCR Australia racing twice at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park before and the World Tour never seen outside of New South Wales, plus the truncated practice schedule, the locals could be a step ahead.

However, Soutar, who “loves this track” and won twice in 2024, believes that advantage will not last long at all.

“I think the locals will have an advantage for the first couple of laps of practice one and that is about it,” he said.

“These guys are all professionals and simulators have come so far now, and have no doubt they will be at the top of their games pretty quickly.

“We will have to be at our best to try and mix it with them.

“Last time we had the World Tour it was at the end of a long season, and you were fully in tune with the car, knowing exactly what you need to change.

“But this time around I have not really driven it for 10 months.

“Our TCR car was super quick last year as well, winning two races, but it has been sitting in the shed for 10 months without a lot of love.

“We have dusted it off and put in the set-up we ended last year with, and I am confident we can be in the mix, but it is a bit of an unknown.”

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium 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.