MOTORSPORT: GRM adds Renault Meganes to TCR effort

Renault is the latest brand set to be represented in the inaugural season of TCR Australia.

The French marque’s Megane hot hatch entry into the series has been confirmed via Garry Rogers Motorsport’s (GRM) announcement that it will field two Renault Megane RS TCR cars.

The pair of Megane RS TCR cars will be in addition to GRM’s two Alfa Romeo Giulietta racers.

And in a first for the fledgling Australian front-drive touring car series, it appears official Renault channels are interested in supporting the effort.

Renault Australia Marketing Director, Emma Pinwill, confirmed the company was in discussions with GRM regarding the Megane TCR racing effort.

“We are in discussions with Garry Rogers Motorsport,” Pinwill told carsales.

Although cars from Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Audi and Alfa Romeo are already confirmed for the 2019 TCR Australia series, to date there has been no formal manufacturer involvement.

Renault’s sign-on therefore would be a substantial fillip for the new series Down Under.

Based on the latest Megane RS road-going hot hatch, the Megane TCR debuted in 2018. This year, race entries are already confirmed for TCR Europe, Germany and the UK.

The Megane RS TCR vehicles are manufactured by the Swiss-based engineering company, Team Vukovic Motorsport.

The Meganes take the number of cars Rogers will race in the 2019 TCR Australia series to four. Initially, carsales believed the full complement would be Alfa Romeos. Today’s Renault announcement surprised many.

The drivers of the GRM-entered Renaults are expected to be confirmed soon. The opening round of the seven-event 2019 TCR Australia series is at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 17-19.

“We had a look at what vehicles were available and to see what would suit us. We purchased two Alfas and we’ve now purchased two Renault Mégane as well,” Rogers stated.

“It’s a trendy car, and the results that we’ve seen so far in testing is that it is fast and it is very competitive. Now, we need to make sure that we have the right drivers and the right people preparing them to get the best results," he said.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of Renault Australia’s heavy marketing presence at the Rolex Australian F1 Grand Prix. There the company leveraged the Renault F1 Team debut of carsales global ambassador, Daniel Ricciardo.

Meganes were conspicuously present as course cars at the event.

It seems there’s still a way to go before the company confirms any TCR involvement, however.

“No decision has been made. It’s something we need to discuss further,” Pinwill told carsales.

When quizzed Pinwill said Renault Australia could consider direct involvement or support of the GRM effort via its dealer network

“There’s nothing confirmed at this stage. [But] We think the series is a good development and we’re looking forward to seeing the Meganes racing in it,” Pinwill stated.