48 MULLER Yvan, (fra), Hyundai i30 N TCR team Yvan Muller Racing, action during the 2018 FIA WTCR World Touring Car cup of Portugal, Vila Real from june 22 to 24 - Photo Francois Flamand / DPPI
The Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) has officially paved the way for a decidedly different Touring Car Racing Series (TCR) to commence in 2019. New category promoters Australian Racing Group (ARG) has landed the commercial and promotional rights for the hatchback and sedan based TCR series.
This global category was developed back in 2014 by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti. Australia will now be the fourth continent to see action. So just exactly what is the criteria to enter the championship?
The cars must be front-wheel drive C-Segment hatchbacks or sedans, powered importantly by production–based turbocharged petrol or diesel engines. Engine capacity can sit at up to 2.0-litres with a max of 257kW / 420Nm.
Manufacturers currently involved include Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru and Volkswagen. Although factory owned entries are not allowed, helping to make the category more attractive – purely based on costs.
“We are extremely pleased to be awarded the rights to launch and promote TCR in Australia,” said Matt Braid, Director, Australian Racing Group
“TCR has proven itself to be an extremely popular, exciting and successful category in many countries around the world, and we look forward to working with competitors, manufacturers and event promotors to successfully launch the TCR series in Australia.”
The CEO of CAMS, Eugene Arocca remarked “This is a very exciting development for motor sport in Australia and already the interest in TCR has been very promising, from both a competitor and manufacturer stand point”
While TCR Series CEO Marcello Lotti added, “It will be a landmark moment for TCR that lands on a fourth continent after Europe, Asia and the Americas, where TCR series have already been successfully established”
We will standby for more information on where and when racing will be held, but negotiations are well underway including with the Australian Supercars series. Check out the TCR Australia website here.
Chris was EFTM’s Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce.
He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012.
Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers.
Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney’s North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family.
He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page “Bowen’s Garage”
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