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Alfa Romeo TCR team set to expand to three in 2020
Ashley Seward Motorsport will expand to a three-car Alfa Romeo TCR team in 2020.
The Melbourne-based team has entered a single car effort this year, fielding Dylan O’Keeffe in the #9 Giulietta Veloce. O’Keeffe has taken four race wins and currently sits second in the TCR Australia Series.
The two new Alfa Romeos will land in Melbourne as early as next week, and while not confirmed, at least one of them could compete in the final round of the 2019 carsales TCR Australia Series at The Bend Motorsport Park next month.
High interest in the new touring car class has prompted team owner Ash Seward to expand on his TCR Australia program and is confident that all three seats will be filled for the 2020 season.
The acquisition of the two brand-new Alfa Romeos will take the total number of Giulietta Veloces up to four, joining Garry Rogers Motorsport’s single Alfa entry, currently raced by Jordan Cox. This will take the total number close to the maximum of five that any brand can have competing under TCR Australia regulations.
The final round of the 2019 carsales TCR Australia Series will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park on November 15-17.
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The opening event for TCR Australia in 2020 will be at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Park at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 12-15.
The complete 2020 TCR Australia Series calendar will be announced in the near future.
QUOTES
Ashley Seward
Owner, Ashley Seward Motorsport
“There’s a lot of interest in TCR, and we decided to pounce on the new cars as soon as they became available,” said Ashley Seward.
“The hype around the category has been really strong, especially from junior category drivers looking to make their first step into touring car racing.
“It’s a very affordable class and really well priced in the current landscape. For our team, it was a no-brainer.
“Dylan O’Keeffe has really been our biggest selling point. Before the start of this season, we wanted to be a part of TCR, but it was a big risk too. Without a doubt, our punt has definitely paid off and it’s a credit to the team behind TCR Australia.
“The Alfas are a great car. They are well engineered and really easy to work on and, for sure, we feel that we can be in a position to win more races and win a championship.
“The new cars land next week and if the right deals fall in place, we might enter one extra car at The Bend. We need to wait and see on that.”
Matt Braid
Director, Australian Racing Group
“It’s fantastic to see more TCR cars confirmed for the 2020 season,” said Matt Braid.
“Events like the Australian Grand Prix have really ramped up the genuine interest in the class and there are some more great announcements in the pipeline.
“It is no surprise to see more Alfa Romeos secured. They are a really well built car and have proved to be extremely competitive. Dylan O’Keeffe and the ASM team have done an outstanding job this year, and we are pleased that they have expanded their TCR program.”