News
John Martin aiming for second
Less than 100-points split second through to 12th in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series as the title fight approaches a new venue in the form of Morgan Park and one in which Queenslander John Martin is confident of.
It is predicted the Honda Civic Type Rs will be suited to the circuit based at Warwick in rural Queensland and Martin believes he can move further up the points standings.
“I’ve been to Morgan Park, it should suit our car,” said Martin, who is Wall Racing’s sole podium finisher this season. “There’s not many straights, but it will depend tyre wise and tyre load.
“It doesn’t look like it will be too bad.”
Martin finished the inaugural Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in eighth, which included taking Honda’s first Australian victory in the class at The Bend Motorsport Park. Currently, the former sportscar and open-wheel ace is seventh, but is confident he can make a considerable play for second.
Martin is just 38-points behind second-placed Luke King in the sister Melbourne Performance Centre Audi RS3 LMS TCR to series leader Chaz Mostert.
The closeness of the mid-pack is not lost on Martin.
“Second to 12th is pretty wide open, so it’s not out of the chance to be runner up,” Martin emphasised.
“I’d like to be second. If you’re not aiming for that, what’s the point?”
Not only does Martin believe the Honda will be strong at Morgan Park, but the next round at Sandown is another favourite for the Japanese hot hatch. Last time Supercheap Auto TCR Australia raced at the historic Victorian venue, a Wall Racing Honda Civic Type R clean-swept the round with WTCR ace Nestor Girolami behind the wheel.
Martin is hoping to replicate the Argentine’s success.
“Sandown will be okay too, it suited our car in 2019,” Martin said.
For not only Martin, but the whole allotment of Hondas it has been a mixed season so far, but both Wall Racing entries are placed in the top 10 with D’Alberto in ninth after enduring bad luck at Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst.
However, with a clear focus Martin is determined to be a consistent feature at the front during the final rounds as the next circuits favour the Honda’s strengths.
““We will punch on,” he said. “We have the least amount of mid-range torque, but once we get to the top end, we aren’t bad. We’re one of the best, but that’s part of the balance of performance.
“We’re trying to be consistent.”
The next round of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will be held at Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland on August 13-15. CLICK HERE for ticketing information.