MOTORSPORT: Golf TCR arrives, set for series launch

Entrants tilting at Australia’s new touring car formula, TCR Australia, have the choice of a fourth brand with the arrival of a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR racer Down Under.

Imported by Melbourne Performance Centre, the official dealer and technical partner for Audi Sport and the Volkswagen Group Motorsport’s TCR cars, the new Golf is a pure racer and is essentially identical under the skin to the Audi RS3 LMS TCR racer the operation has already tested Down Under.

TCR Australia announced its plans to debut the new formula in 2019 earlier this year. It is now close to formalising its calendar and is expected to make further announcements next month re the series’ 2019 plans.

Although the management of key TCR-affiliated brands are yet to be convinced of the local viability of the formula insiders say TCR Australia is likely to field a grid of at least 12 TCR cars (from up to four brands) when the series kicks off next year.

Hyundai and Honda TCR cars are already confirmed for local squads in addition to the two Volkswagen Group marques. The Hyundais are still to land Down Under, while a single example of the latest Italian-built JAS Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR arrived in Australia two weeks ago.

MPC boss, Lee Burley, said the arrival of the Golf TCR was “really exciting”.

“We know what the cars are about, having had the Audi RS3 TCR here for a while... It’s the same platform, it’s really just body panels and the badge on the front…

“We’re looking forward to the first customer coming along, put their hand up and take this one onto the track.”

TCR Australia will be managed and promoted by the Australian Racing Group. ARG boss Matt Braid was predictably upbeat re the Golf’s arrival.

“You can feel the momentum starting to build and it’s very exciting,” he told carsales.

“Volkswagen Group Motorsport is very committed to TCR global, and VW brand is going to be really good for the series.

“VW doesn’t have a huge racing pedigree in Australia, however, it is such a famous brand with so much history, both on the road and race track. The Golf will certainly attract its own set of followers, so we’re really looking forward to seeing it on track," Braid added.

Volkswagen Australia says it has no motorsport plans “at this time”.

The company recently debuted a one-off modified performance version of its Arteon flagship built by a team of its apprentices.