A total of 17 cars will compete in the historic opening round of the 2019 TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.

Aaron Cameron has filled the final seat on the grid, and will join Melbourne Performance Centre in a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.

The 19 year-old Victorian entry makes for a 17-strong field confirmed for the opening event of the new under two-litre touring car series.

The reigning Australian KZ2 Karting Champion has enjoyed successful stints in Formula Ford, Super Utes and the Toyota 86 Racing Series before confirming his TCR campaign. He is also a class winner at the Bathurst 6 Hour, and experienced multiple starts at the Bathurst 12 Hour with Ryan McLeod’s MARC Cars Australia outfit.

Cameron is one of the most experienced TCR drivers in Australia ahead of the season opener, after racing an Audi RS3 TCR in the Creventic 24 Hour endurance races at Catalunya and Dubai in 2018 with the MARC Cars squad.

The first round of the TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, headlining the Shannons Nationals Championships.

Every round of TCR Australia will be broadcast live, free and HD 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

Aaron Cameron

Driver, Melbourne Performance Centre Volkswagen Golf

“It’s great to be confirmed for the first round of the TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park, and as it turns out i’m the last name to be confirmed to do it so i’m really looking forward to it,” said Aaron Cameron.

“I’ve driven the cars already at the test day and at a couple of 24 Hour races overseas, and I absolutely love the front-wheel drive aspect of these cars.

“I’m only 19 years old but I have a fair bit of racing experience already. I’m the current KZ2 Karting national champion, and previously raced Super Utes and the Toyota 86 Racing Series, so a nice variety of cars i’ve driven before stepping into the TCR Australia Series.

“I’ve done two Creventic 24 Hour races with MARC Cars Australia at Barcelona and Dubai, and it was great to share the car with some skilled racers and learn off them. These cars were great to drive for 24 Hour races and i’m sure they’ll be awesome in the sprint format as well.

“My expectation for the weekend is to try and stay out of trouble, we don’t know what the racing is going to be like in a sprint format here, but if we can get into a top five or a podium position by the end of the weekend that would be great.”

Matt Braid

Director, Australian Racing Group

“It is fantastic to see 17 cars ready and revved up for the opening round of TCR Australia,” said Matt Braid.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with putting together big motoring and motorsport programs, but this is the most satisfying, especially seeing the Australian racing public embrace this new class with such enthusiasm.

“We have a great array of cars. Eight different brands, some serious teams and real talented drivers. This is a new style of touring car racing for Australia, but it’s one that no one is going to want to miss.”