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National Excel Champion to test drive TCR at Winton test
Hyundai Excel racer Michael Clemente will get an opportunity to drive a Honda TCR car at Winton during the driver evaluation test this Monday.
Following the Round 5 of the carsales TCR Australia Series at the rural circuit this weekend, Clemente will be one of a host of drivers sampling different up to eight confirmed cars.
Teams and cars that are involved in the test include Wall Racing (Honda), HMO Customer Racing (Hyundai), Garry Rogers Motorsport (Renault and Alfa) and Melbourne Performance Centre (Audi and Volkswagen).
It is expected that close to 20 TCR rookies will get their first taste of the under two-litre front wheel drive races on Monday.
Clemente is one of four drivers confirmed to drive with Wall Racing, joining Kiwi pair Brock Timperley and Matt Podjursky, as well as another Hyundai Excel driver, Ben Crossland.
After three years in the Excel Racing Australia series, winning the 2018 Nationals and the South Australia title, Clemente is looking for the next step in his career and sees the Winton test as a way to make the right decision.
“I feel honoured to be able to drive Wall Racing’s TCR Honda in the test day. I’m really excited can’t wait to see how I work with the team this Monday,” said Clemente.
“It’s the next step in the right direction for me, and I feel really confident going into it. Being front wheel drive just like the Excels, the characteristics of the car shouldn’t be too different, besides a huge turbo strapped to the engine.
“I have been racing the Hyundai Excel’s for the last few years and it’s quite obvious that this is the next stepping stone into making my racing a career.”
Round 5 of the carsales TCR Australia Series will be held over a unique two-day meeting format, with practice, qualifying and Race 1 held on Saturday, followed by two races on Sunday.
All three races will be broadcast live, free and in HD on SBS, as well as livestream on the TCR Australia website.