TCR set for 2019

Australia will welcome its newest class of motor racing in the new year, with the 2019 TCR Australia  calendar released. Kicking off at Sydney Motorsport Park in May, the series will comprise seven rounds at all Shannons Nationals and take in six of the country’s best permanent race tracks. 

The cost-effective racing will open up motorsport to an even greater competitor base as well as attracting seasoned racing outfits to the highly competitive series. Eligible cars include all front-wheel drive C-Segment hatchbacks or sedans, powered by production-based turbocharged engines with a capacity of up to two-litres.

At time of writing, four different makes were already confirmed for the opening season, with more expected before the 2019 start. Volkswagen, Honda and Hyundai are confirmed to join the Audi RS3 LMS in the competition, which is expected to emulate the tremendous success of the category internationally.

Since its international start in 2014, the affordable yet highly competitive class has enjoyed enormous success, with four international TCR series now in existence, as well as 12 national or regional series operating under the TCR regulations.

“TCR Australia is one of most anticipated new racing categories to land on the Australian motorsport scene in many years. It will be fresh, exciting and action-packed,” says Matt Braid, Director of the Australia Racing Group which will run the series in Australia. 

“Releasing the calendar is a great milestone for TCR Australia, and we are very pleased to launch the category alongside the Shannons Nationals events.” 

Audi Australia’s Chief Driving Instructor and motorsport ambassador, Steve Pizzati is likewise looking forward to the introduction of the new series in Australia. 

“TCR uses fast, cool looking race cars that are quite closely matched, which produces the door-to-door racing everyone likes,” says Pizzati. 

“It’s a category that is attainable for those wanting to get into motorsport, but still offers real competition for more seasoned drivers as well.”

“In 2019, we’re looking to introduce the Audi RS 3 LMS car in the Audi Driving Experience for the Audi Race driving experience course,” says Pizzati. 

“With the TCR class now a reality in Australia, potentially, we could offer our Audi Race driving experience graduates the opportunity of racing the car in local competition, partnering with one of the Audi Driving Experience instructors,” he said.

The inaugural TCR Australia season will kick off in May 2019.

TCR Australia 2019

Rd 1: Sydney Motorsport Park, 17-19 May

Rd 2: Phillip Island, 6-9 June

Rd 3: The Bend Motorsport Park, 12-14 July

Rd 4: Queensland Raceway, 2-4 August

Rd 5: Winton, 31 August-1 September

Rd 6: Sandown, 20-22 September

Rd 7: The Bend Motorsport Park, 15-17 November