News
Third Hyundai entered for TCR Australia Series opener in Sydney
GWR Australia has confirmed it will enter one of its two Hyundai i30 N TCR cars for the inaugural round of the 2019 TCR Australia Series event at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.
The Sydney-based team will enter Michael Almond in the #29 i30 racer, sporting backing from Astrontech and Commercial Interior Projects.
Almond is no stranger to national-level motorsport competition. The South Australian has raced in Porsches for the past eight years, including six season in the prestigious Carrera Cup Championship. Almond currently races for Sonic Motor Racing Services, sitting seventh in the title standings.
Almond has also raced in Touring Car Masters and V8 Utes during his racing journey.
The 35-year-old says the he is excited to be a part of the new touring car class, stating that his love for under two litre racers started back in his teens, watching the classic British Touring Car battles is similar cars.
The first round of the TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, with the event to be held alongside the Shannons Nationals Championships. CLICK HERE to secure tickets to the race meeting.
Every round of TCR Australia will be broadcast live, free and HD broadcast coverage on SBS. Saturday’s race (May 18) will be shown from 2-3pm, while Sunday’s two races (May 19) will have a two hour broadcast from 1-3pm.
The event will also be live streamed across the day and will be available on the TCR Australia website.
QUOTES
Michael Almond
Driver, GWR Australia
“It’s just for one event at the moment, but we’ll see how we goes. If everyone gets excited and get more support, we’ll have a look and see if we can finish the season,” said Michael Almond.
“I used to love playing TOCA (the 1990s game based on the British Touring Car Championship). That was some of my favourite times as a teen, playing the game. I was a huge fan of the BTCC. The racing is always close, with the cars going three wide and hard, solid racing.
“The cars have the paddle shift gearbox and a really nice Michelin tyre. Both of these things I’ll be used to from my Porsche racing. I’ve haven’t done much front-wheel drive racing, but the recipe is there to have some fun so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Garth Walden
Owner, GWR Australia
“It’s great to confirm that we’ll have one car on the grid for Sydney Motorsport Park,” said Garth Walden.
“It’s going to be great to be part of history – the first round of TCR in Australia. I’m getting plenty of calls and messages about it, so I reckon they’ll be a big crowd there.
“It’s fantastic to have Michael Almond as the driver. He has been part of our team as a driver coach for a number of years and it’s good to have him in the race seat.
“He has raced in many categories and I’m confident that he’ll adapt to the front wheel drive TCR car quickly.
“It’s a shame that we’ll have our other Hyundai in the garage for this event, but we expect to get it out for Round 2 at Phillip Island.”