Kody Garland has confirmed his participation in the 2023 TCR Australia series, with the 22-year-old switching machinery to Peugeot for his second season in the category.
Garland made his début in 2022 racing a Renault Mégane RS for Garry Rogers Motorsport. After a difficult start to the season, blighted by a crash in practice for the opening round which prevented him starting any races that weekend, he ended the year 19th overall in the drivers’ standings, having secured a best finish of 11th at Sydney Motorsport Park.
He will continue to be backed by both Valvoline and Motor Traders’ Association of NSW (MTA NSW) in 2023.
Garland is the first GRM driver to be revealed ahead of the season opener at Symmons Plains next month on 24 – 26 February.
“It was great last year to have James Moffat on the other side of the Renault garage as a benchmark for me,” said Garland, who will get to benefit from a sequential paddle shift in his Peugeot 308 TCR this year.
“Given the tight set-up window of the Renault it was good to compare against Moffat and match his pace throughout the year.
“GRM has enjoyed great success in the Peugeots over the last few years and the team has an intrinsic understanding of how the 308 operates, so I’m really excited to get behind the wheel and prove myself as a regular contender for the win.
“It will take a bit of getting used to, but fortunately I got to drive the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR quite recently at the GRM Combine so I have a bit of a head start on what the paddle shift feels like. The Peugeot also has a smaller wheelbase than the Renault, so I’m expecting it to be a bit nimbler.
“I’m looking forward to our pre-season test where I’ll be able to get some valuable laps behind the wheel and get a solid understanding of the Peugeot’s unique aspects ahead of the season opener at Race Tasmania.
“I’d like to really thank Valvoline and MTA NSW for their continued support into the new year, I couldn’t ask for better brands to have backing me.”