MOTORSPORT: Tassie treat for TCR tussle

Tasmania will provide a surprising sting in the tail for the return of carsales TCR Australia Series racing.

A back-to-back swing through the Apple Isle will now conclude the revised 2020 championship in late January, the only option for the shortened six-event series.

TCR turbocharged hatchbacks will headline for the Australian Racing Group’s meetings with support race backing from S5000 single-seaters, Trans Am V8 coupes and the Muscle Car Masters series.

Although the calendar is firm, there is no news yet on how teams will travel or the potential for spectators at individual events.

Even so, ARG boss Matt Braid and car owner Garry Rogers – the biggest supporter of TCR and S5000 with more than 20 cars in his Melbourne workshop – are happy with the outcome.

“This is a significant opportunity for ARG and our teams, drivers and sponsors. The roar of world-class V8-powered open-wheeler racing coupled with TCR and Trans Am all debuting in Tasmania at Symmons Plains and Baskerville will be a fantastic spectacle,” says Braid.

“We are very pleased that Garry Rogers, with his extensive network and business relationships in Tasmania, has been instrumental in leading negotiations with local representatives.”

The Baskerville meeting will be the first national championship event for more than 40 years at the short-and-sharp circuit on the outskirts of Hobart.

The other big change to the calendar is the expansion of the Bathurst International in November to a four-day meeting, even though it has likely lost the Bathurst 500 that was planned as a major TCR race.

Instead, the Bathurst 6 Hour race that was planned for Easter before COVID-19 has now been added to the program.

Mount Panorama will also host S5000 open-wheelers for the first time, as well as races for the Touring Car Masters and Trans Am.

The final calendar for TCR is a mix of ARG and Shannons Nationals events but all six will be televised on free-to-air television through the Seven Network.

“We are really pleased that we are able to confirm a condensed, dynamic racing schedule combining fresh new events along with racing at some of Australia’s best circuits,” said Braid.

2020 carsales TCR Australia Series calendar:
August 15-16 – Sydney Motorsport Park
September 12-13 – Sandown
October TBC – Phillip Island
November 12-15 – Bathurst
January 24-26 – Symmons Plains
January 29-30 – Baskerville