Teddy Clairet will take part in the final round of the 2022 TCR Australia series when he joins the grid for the Bathurst International event in November.
The Frenchman has not competed in TCR touring cars this year, after having previously raced full-time in TCR Europe from 2019 to 2021, picking up a victory last year on his way to a career-best sixth overall in the drivers’ standings.
Clairet, 29, will join Garry Rogers Motorsport for the event, racing a fifth Peugeot 308 TCR alongside regulars Jordan Cox, Aaron Cameron, Dylan O’Keeffe and Ben Bargwanna.
Prior to competing in TCR, Clairet took part in the Peugeot 208 Racing Cup in 2013, and in 2018 he won the Peugeot 308 Racing Cup for his family-run outfit Team Clairet Sport.
“I’m really excited to come to Australia and race there,” said Clairet. “Bathurst is a mythical track so, for me it’s a dream to race there and I’m really looking forward to discover this wonderful place.
“I have a lot of respect for this kind of track so I will use all the help that I can find to understand the track and enjoy the race.
“Of course, I know the car very well, so that’s a good point. Also I know that Garry Rogers Motorsport is a super team which also knows the car really well.
“I’m fully confident they will provide me a great car to compete against the grid, and that they will put me in the best condition to fight for a strong result.
“I really often watch highlights from TCR Australia. I’m following a lot the results in the series and I know that there is a very strong field.
“They are all specialists so I know that it will be hard on track. The races are full of entertainment, so I will do my best, respecting all the drivers and try to reach the best that I can.
“From what I’ve seen, there are a lot of fans over the track, and the atmosphere seems really good in the paddock, with passionate people. I want to enjoy this experience and I would like to thank again the trust from Peugeot Sport and Garry Rogers Motorsport.”
Barry Rogers of Garry Rogers Motorsport also highlighted the opportunity for the team to extend its relationship with car giant Stellantis, owner of the Peugeot brand amongst others.
“It will be fantastic to welcome Teddy into the GRM squad and have him as international representation at the Bathurst International,” said Rogers.
“Teddy is a very experienced racer, and a really lovely guy too. He races in his family team, and that’s what we are all about at GRM. He is going to fit in really well.
“This is also a great way to extend our relationship with Stellantis and it has opened the door to opportunities such as getting Teddy to Australia for the Bathurst International and also Aaron Cameron to France to compete in the FIA Motorsport Games.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how Teddy goes at Bathurst, while we will also have one eye on the series title too.
“Our man Jordan Cox is right in the fight for the title, and we’re all pushing as hard as we can to ensure that Jordan and the rest of our team are right at the pointy end of the field at Mount Panorama in November.”