It’s hoped a new race car will be enough to tempt Will Brown into another tilt at the TCR Australia Series title.
Brown, who won the inaugural touring car series in 2019, had a tospy turvy campaign in 2022.
Coming into the SpeedSeries season finale at Mount Panorama, the driver of Supercars fame looked an outside chance at the title.
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In the end, he wound up just shy of the crown in second place behind Wall Racing’s Tony D’Alberto.
Now, the team who he races for is hoping to have him onboard this year in a second-generation Audi RS 3 LMS.
Melbourne Performance Centre has confirmed it will have at least three of the cars in its cache, including the car that Jay Hanson campaigned to four race wins in 2022.
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“We are really very confident that we are going to have a competitive line-up for the 2023 TCR Australia season,” said Melbourne Performance Centre boss Troy Russell.
“We still have a number of elements to lock away, and there are some time pressures, but interest has been positive.
“Locking away Will Brown in the new-specification RS 3 is a priority, and we hope to be able to make a firm announcement on that shortly.
“Jay Hanson proved the capabilities of that car, and with Will’s extra experience, we feel that we’ll be a title contender.
“Not that the other two cars are lacking for speed, though. Will showed how good his Audi was, finishing second in the title.
“That chassis also won the 2021 series. We suspect that chassis is the most successful that we have here in Australia.”
While Brown’s involvement remains up in the air, the team has confirmed Iain McDougall will drive one of the first-generation Audi RS 3 LMS touring cars.
The TCR Australia Series is on track to have its biggest season to date.
SpeedSeries organisers have finalised its calendar with confirmation the motorsport circus will visit Phillip Island.
The famed grand prix circuit, two hours from Melbourne’s central business district, will host the third round of the SpeedSeries season on May 12-14.
The circuit is home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and is a tourist hot spot known for its wildlife and numerous attractions.
“We’ve been going to Phillip Island for many years as part of the Shannons Nationals, the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and now the SpeedSeries,” said Michael Smith, Motorsport Australia director of motorsport and commercial operations.
“The feedback from drivers, teams, officials and spectators is always overwhelmingly positive and we know the racing will be enjoyable and competitive.
“This event is the final piece in the 2023 SpeedSeries calendar which promises to deliver some amazing racing, a wide range of categories and visits to the best Australian circuits.”
One more event is expected to be added to the calendar as part of the TCR World Tour to take the series to a record nine rounds.
2023 SpeedSeries calendar:
Round 1: Race Tasmania, Symmons Plains – February 24-26
Round 2: Bathurst 6 Hour – April 7-9
Round 3: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – May 12-14
Round 4: Winton Raceway – June 9-11
Round 5: Sydney Motorsport Park – June 23-25
Round 6: Queensland Raceway – August 11-13
Round 7: Sandown International Raceway – September 8-10
Round 8: Bathurst International (TCR World Tour) – November 10-12
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