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Flexibility provides opportunity for Bargwannas
Being able to adapt to the current ever-changing climate has provided the Bargwanna father-son team an opportunity to compete together in this year’s Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series.
Bathurst 1000 winner Jason was initially announced as the sole Burson-supported Peugeot 308 TCR on the grid for 2020, whilst son Ben was to partner his father in the season ending Bathurst endurance event.
However, as that season morphed into 2021 it provided Ben an opportunity to step into another Peugeot on a full-time basis.
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According to Bargwanna senior, it was the ability to be flexible which enabled the Garry Rogers Motorsport-run program to grow.
“Like everyone, the 2020-2021 environment is something where you’ve got to adapt and change so whether it’s in business or motor racing or just in personal life, we’ve all had to learn to do it,” Bargwanna explained.
“We had a very clear plan for Ben’s career, which revolved around Formula Ford and getting that right with a view then we would step into TCR.
“We always liked the TCR category, I like it from a point of view that it creates opportunities not only just in this country but around the world.
“For us it was the right opportunity, it was a good way for him to learn and I’m also enjoying the fact that now he’s starting to work with different people as well, and get a different view of how the sport works.”
Not only does Ben enter a highly competitive category, but it also provides an opportunity for the former Formula Ford racer to work alongside different personnel at GRM to add further knowledge to his repertoire
“What this year has done is created the opportunity where, whilst we’re working in the same team together, he’s teamed with a different group of people and we’re sharing information,” Bargwanna said
“He’s developing very quickly.”
“Ben has worked with me right from the first day he played go karts down at Morwell to now here we are racing around Bathurst in TCR cars.
“To have him now working and developing those skills with different people is another step in his progression.”
As Peugeot’s sole winner this season, the elder Bargwanna is relishing the close contests in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia.
“I’ve really enjoyed a return to that level of competition,” said Bargwanna. “We’ve played around with a few things, but when it comes to racing some really good, sharp operators, in the intensity of high quality touring car racing it really has me excited.
“We’ve had some success this year, we’ve had a couple of bad days but for me I’m only four race weekends into it now. It’s about finding that rhythm and balance.”
According to Bargwanna TCR is the way forward through not only its local, but the international opportunities it provides.
“For me it looks like the future of the sport in terms of the manufacturers involved and the type of racing,” Bargwanna explained.
“I think it’s a great platform for young drivers to develop and grow.”
The next rounds of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park on October 15-17.