The new TCR Australia series will launch in late 2019 and be promoted by the newly-formed Australian Racing Group, after the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) granted the commercial rights to the organisation.
It was revealed in January that CAMS had signed a five-year deal for the development of a TCR Australia touring car series, which is set to begin in late 2019.
The new organisation will be headed up by the former Managing Director of Volvo Cars Australia, Matt Braid.
Australia already has one TCR-spec car, as an Audi RS3 LMS was sent to the country recently by Audi for an evaluation.
“We are extremely pleased to be awarded the rights to launch and promote TCR in Australia,” said Braid.
“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.”
Marcello Lotti, CEO of the TCR owner WSC Ltd, is pleased to be able to further expand the reach of the hugely successful international touring car concept.
“We have been absolutely delighted, earlier this year, to sign a deal with CAMS for launching a TCR series in Australia,” said Lotti. “CAMS is the driving force behind the success of Australian motor sport, and their involvement is a guarantee of a bright future for TCR Australia.
“Now that this new series has been definitely scheduled to start in 2019, we can’t wait for the opening event.
“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.
“This also represents a great challenge, because touring car racing is hugely popular in Australia and the local motor sport fans are enthusiastic and competent.
“We are confident that they will soon learn to love TCR just as has happened with their fellow fans across the rest of the world. We wish the Australian Racing Group success in launching and promoting TCR Australia.”
Details of the inaugural TCR Australia calendar have yet to be revealed, but it is expected that some events will be held in conjunction with the country’s flagship series, Supercars, and Shannons Nationals.
Further information is available at the series’ official website www.tcraustralia.com.