MOTORSPORT: Honda Civic looking for TCR start

The first TCR racing version of Honda’s stove-hot Civic Type-R hatch has arrived Down Under — without the knowledge of Honda Australia.

The pure racing vehicle is owned by Honda’s global TCR partner JAS Motorsport which, series organizer TCR Australia says, has the intention of partnering with a local Australian race team to enter the 2019 TCR Australia Series.

At this time Sydney-based Wall Racing is “assisting JAS Motorsport to house and prepare the car”, the series claims

Honda Australia meanwhile says it has no knowledge of the machine’s arrival nor any plans to support the entry or series.

“We wish them well, but we have no plans related to TCR,” a spokeswomen said this morning.

“We’re reviewing plans for Type-R but this is not included in them,” she added.

Italy-based JAS Motorsport has worked with Honda Australia previously during its short Australian Rally Championship tilt. The company has a base near the Sepang Grand Prix circuit in Malaysia to support TCR efforts in this part of the globe.

“We have a long history with Honda’s global racing programs, and we are very proud of the business that we have developed alongside Honda,” JAS’ Mads Fischer said via a TCR Australia statement.

“We will be paying close attention to TCR Australia and are looking forward to partnering with the right team to help put Honda on the map in Australia,” he commented.

A local operation recently announced it would field Hyundai i30 N TCR cars in the new series. That effort may have hit hurdles, however.

At this stage, motoring.com.au believes only the Honda and a single Audi R3 LMS are on the ground Down Under.

Nonetheless, series organiser Matt Braid remains confident there will be enough TCR machines in Australia to kick the series off in 2019.

“It’s great to see another brand of TCR car arrive in Australia. You can really start to feel the momentum building now ahead of the 2019 season,” he said.

“The JAS Motorsport squad is a race and championship winner in its own right. They offer a terrific, turn-key product.

“At this stage, the intention is for someone to purchase the car, and secure a local distributor for the Civic Type-R. There has been lots of interest, so I’d say that it is just a matter of time before we are able to confirm this,” Braid commented.