Brown ready for TCR 2023

Former TCR series champion and last year’s runner up, Will Brown has been confirmed to drive for Melbourne Performance Centre again in this year’s Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series. Brown, who came tantalisingly close to winning last year’s series will be back in an Audi RS 3 LMS, this year driving the current generation II car that was fielded last year by Jay Hanson with outstanding results.

With the car rebuilt over the offseason and now wearing Liqui Moly livery, it is hoped that the combination of Brown's experience and prowess behind the wheel, coupled with the car’s obvious speed will make for a winning combination and allow the 24-year-old to go one better than in 2022 and claim his second TCR Championship.

“It is fantastic to welcome Liqui Moly and Will Brown back to our team for the 2023 TCR Australia Series,” Melbourne Performance Centre Director, Troy Russell said of the 2023 combination.

“Jay Hanson proved the capabilities of that car and with Will’s extra experience, we feel that will be a title contender.” 

Brown is likewise excited ahead of the season opener in Symmons Plains in Tasmania this weekend.

“It’s awesome to partner with Liqui Moly and MPC in a brand-new Audi RS3 LMS TCR,” the Queenslander said.

“Obviously last year was pretty disappointing to come second and nearly win the title in that awesome last race at Bathurst … I’m just excited to get back out there in the new car and we’re trying to win the title.”

While Brown will contest the season in the Generation II RS 3 LMS that was driven by Hanson last year, the #999 Audi he drive last year will see duty this weekend in the hands of Lachlan Mineeff. The privateer had looked like missing the opening round of the series due to setbacks getting his own RS 3 not ready in time, but a deal with MPC will see the 20-year-old race in the opener in the proven ex-Brown machine.

“Due to the logistical challenges of preparing the car, our team had decided to miss Symmons Plains but it was a tough decision, knowing that I was going to give my rivals a big head start in the series,” Mineef said.

“When the Melbourne Performance Centre crew offered me the opportunity to race one of their Audis, I jumped at the chance – it’s an opportunity to race in the opening round aboard a proven package, and make sure I start the season on the front foot.”

This weekend will also see two other Audis lining up for the season opener with Challenge Motorsport’s Iain McDougall returning in a first generation RS 3 LMS and Michael Clemente in the Carl Cox Motorsport (Australia) car, both prepared by MPC and both featuring striking new liveries.

The TCR Australia calendar will see a total of seven rounds in 2023, kicking off this weekend in Tasmania and again finishing with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International at Mount Panorama in November.

The teams will have a day of tyre testing before practice gets underway on Friday. All racing across the weekend will be available to watch live on Stan sport.