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Successful test bodes well for Josh Buchan
After releasing a striking new livery yesterday at Wakefield Park, HMO Customer Racing undertook its first test of 2022, with its expanded three-car entry.
The team’s Supercheap Auto TCR Australia regulars Nathan Morcom and Josh Buchan were joined by new addition Bailey Sweeny as preparations towards the opening round at AWC Race Tasmania on February 11-13 continue to ramp up.
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Yesterday’s test provided Buchan’s first opportunity to get behind the wheel of his i30N TCR since last month’s N Festival, the traditional congregation for owners of Hyundai’s performance variant at Winton Motor Raceway.
“It was great to get in the car yesterday, four weeks since we drove at the N Festival at Winton,” Buchan said.
“We had a solid day going over everything on the HMO Customer Racing Hyundai i30N TCR before Symmons Plains. Nathan, Bailey and myself were very close in times, so everything bodes well for Tasmania.”
Buchan was on hand at Winton to provide hot laps and give Hyundai’s ‘Nthusiasts’ a taste of what Supercheap Auto TCR Australia is all about. A large contingent of owners representing the various N models attended as not only were drivers treated to track time at Winton, but Buchan led a road trip taking in Victoria’s best driving roads.
“It was great to get down to Winton and see the support we have from all the drivers of N models,” Buchan said. “It has grown so much since N started in 2017 and it’s awesome to have added support for the upcoming Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season.”
Aligning closer to Hyundai’s factory WTCR livery, HMO Customer Racing’s version features increased support from a variety of sponsors and signals a major departure from its previous warpaint.
“The new livery looks awesome, with added support from N Australia and Nulon,” Buchan emphasised.
“It’s also great to have continued support from DPO, Rondo, STM, La Fresca and all of our other partners, so we can’t wait to get to Tasmania.
A dual race winner in last year’s Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Buchan also has good memories of Tasmania after scoring a debut podium at Symmons Plains.
The aim for Buchan is added consistency, however he has targeted an area where advances can be made.
“There were a few missed opportunities last year, but the team has worked hard during the off-season to deliver a great package for this season,” said Buchan.
“Where I think we lost our edge was in Q2, we were on the pace in Q1, but just failed to put it together in the second half, so that is where I’m aiming to improve.”
Race Tasmania will launch the 2022 Australian motorsport season featuring Supercheap Auto TCR Australia, S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship and the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series.
Make sure you get your tickets through Moshtix.