Newly-formed promoter secures TCR Australia rights

The Confederation of Australian Motorsport has announced that the newly-formed Australian Racing Group is to take on the commercial and promotional rights of the new TCR Australia Series, which is due to kick off in late 2019.

The Australian-owned business, which aims to develop and promote top quality racing categories at high-profile motorsport events, is owned by a consortium of businessmen and spearheaded by Matt Braid, the former Managing Director for Volvo Cars Australia and the Supercars Championship.

ARG also has the commercial and management rights to develop Super 5000, the category based on the 1970s-inspired Formula 5000 category.

TCR Australia hopes to run as a support series to Supercars at selected events, with discussions also set to take place about running races alongside the Shannon Nationals package, which competes at circuits across Australia.

“We are thrilled to confirm Australian Racing Group as the category promoters for TCR in Australia and look forward to seeing them hit the ground running,” Eugene Arocca, CEO of CAMs said. “This is a very exciting development for motor sport in Australia and already the interest in TCR has been very promising, from both a competitor and manufacturer stand point.

“We look forward to seeing TCR start off strong and go from strength-to-strength as TCR makes its mark on Australian motor sport.”

Marcello Lotti, the man behind the TCR concept, said he was delighted to see the Australian series moving closer and said he was confident that it would prove to be a success.

“We have been absolutely delighted, earlier this year, to sign a deal with CAMS for launching a TCR series in Australia,” he said. “CAMS is the driving force behind the success of Australian motor sport, and their involvement is a guarantee of a bright future for TCR Australia. Now that this new series has been definitely scheduled to start in 2019, we can’t wait for the opening event.

“It will be a landmark moment for TCR that lands on a fourth continent after Europe, Asia and the Americas, where TCR series have already been successfully established. This also represents a great challenge, because touring car racing is hugely popular in Australia and the local motor sport fans are enthusiastic and competent.

“We are confident that they will soon learn to love TCR just as has happened with their fellow fans across the rest of the world. We wish the Australian Racing Group success in launching and promoting TCR Australia.”