Kelly Racing will field four cars across two car manufacturers in the inaugural TCR Australia Series this year.

The family-owned Victorian-based team will enter a pair of Subaru WRX STi TCR cars, alongside two Opel Astra TCR machines.

The addition of the Subarus and Opels takes the total manufacturer count up to eight, joining the Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai, Alfa Romeo and Renault entries that have already been confirmed.

The turbo-charged Suburus are by Italian-based team Top Run Motorsport and will be housed at Kelly Racing’s world-class race shop in Braeside.

The brand-new Opel Astra TCR cars are constructed and managed by German outfit Lubner Motorsport. The Astra is a popular model in Europe after taking out the 2018 TCR Germany championship in the hands of Austrian driver Harald Proczyk.

The drivers of the four Kelly Racing-run Subaru and Opel TCR cars will be announced in due course.

Kelly Racing is one of Australia’s premier motorsport organisations. Owned and led by brothers Todd and Rick Kelly, the team has set the benchmark for professionalism both on and off the track.

After enjoying successful careers as drivers for factory-supported Holden Supercars teams, the brothers combined to form their own racing organisation in 2009.

In 2013, the team lured Nissan back into Australian touring car competition as a factory entry, fielding four Nissan Altima Supercars in the competitive Supercars Championship.

Kelly Racing has ordered the four cars from Italy (Subaru) and Germany (Opel) with an expected arrival in the coming weeks. The team plans to test the cars prior to the opening round of the 2019 TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Every TCR Australia race will be broadcast live, free and in HD on SBS.

“It is very exciting to add to the TCR Series cars to our racing program for 2019 and beyond,” said Todd Kelly.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on the developments of the category, both here in Australia and around the world, and with the resources and skill-base we have at Kelly Racing, it was a logical fit for us.

“The Opel Astra is a proven race-winning car in other championships. With the right driver line-up, there’s no reason why they will not be competitive straight away.

“It’s going to be great to have the Subarus as well. I feel they are going to suit the Australian conditions and circuits as its one of only two sedan shapes in the field, up against the hot hatches.

“The WRX is a very iconic racing vehicle too. It’s going to be very popular amongst the fans of Australian touring car racing.

“Now that we have secured the cars, we will make our announcements around drivers and partners in the near future.”

“It is extremely pleasing to see another professional, high profile racing team like Kelly Racing join the TCR Australia Series for 2019 and beyond,” said Matt Braid.

“Kelly Racing is one of the best resourced teams in Australian motorsport with a strong commercial structure that has delivered results for their partners in motorsport and business for the past 10 years.

“Subaru is a very prominent brand in the Australian market and it is extremely exciting for our category to have the Impreza WRX STi TCR car competing in the series. Subaru has a long and distinguished history in rallying in Australia, and we look forward to seeing them mirror that success in circuit racing here too.

“The Opel Astras are proven race winners and no doubt will be fast in the TCR Australia Series also. The addition of Opel now brings the number of brands represented in TCR Australia to eight, which is a significant milestone for the inaugural year of the series, and provides Australian motorsport fans with a diverse field of cars to watch and support when the first race starts in Sydney next month.”