TCR Europe runner-up Julien Briché will enter next month’s TCR Asia Pacific Cup at the Formula 1-supporting Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, racing a Peugeot 308 run by GRM with assistance from Peugeot Sport.
Briché was one of the standout drivers in last year’s European TCR series, claiming four victories on his way to second overall in the drivers’ championship.
The Frenchman will enter the non-championship Australian TCR race in the car which Aurélien Comte raced at the final round of last year’s TCR Australia at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Briché will be supported by dedicated Peugeot Sport engineers, alongside the Garry Rogers Motorsport Customer Racing team.
The 38-year-old is one of four international drivers already revealed for the event, joining German René Münnich, New Zealander Jack Milligan and Dutchman Stan van Oord.
Briché is the second 308 driver announced for the event, with former Supercars racer Jason Bargwanna also taking a French car into the race at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit.
“I am extremely happy to be racing at Albert Park,” said Briché. “It will be my first race outside of Europe, and racing in the season opener of the Grand Prix of Formula 1 is an honour.
“TCR Asia Pacific Cup is a totally different playing field with all opponents for me. I am excited to get back in my Peugeot 308 TCR after she proved to be a strong contender last year in all races.
“I don’t think we will have a problem putting down a good rhythm in Australia. We will have to study the track as the layout is very different from what we are used to in Europe, and changing tyre suppliers to Michelin is also something we will have to adapt to.
“I am proud that Peugeot Sport has confidence in me to represent its colours on the international stage.”
Garry Rogers, owner of GRM, believes Briché will be an immediate front-runner at the event which takes place from the 12th to 15th March.
“It is fantastic to have someone of Julien’s talent come to our customer team and compete at Albert Park,” said Rogers.
“Julien has been there and done that in many different TCR Series around the world. He will instantly be one of the benchmark drivers and will really show the true competitiveness of the Peugeot 308.
“GRM Customer Racing has a strong line-up of drivers already confirmed, and we are looking forward to making even more driver and car announcements in the near future.”