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Focus on Bathurst for Jay Hanson
With two wins on the board already in this year’s Supercheap Auto TCR Australia, Jay Hanson has ticked off a few firsts already.
Driving the only latest specification Audi RS3 LMS TCR in the southern hemisphere, Hanson has displayed its pace as he sits fifth in the standings.
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Phillip Island was the first venue where the new package had tested previously following a day Melbourne Performance Centre conducted a few weeks prior.
Just like at Symmons Plains, Hanson and the Audi were immediately the package to beat, which continued through to qualifying where he scored his maiden Astrontech Pole Position cheque.
“Straight out of the trailer in opening practice we set the fastest lap of the day, so that was really positive,” Hanson said.
“In qualifying we honestly didn’t maximise the green tyre and we caught a bit of traffic, which was annoying so we didn’t get a lap in then, but it was still quick enough to get in the top 10.
“We made a big change for the second part of qualifying and I only got a lap in prior to the red flag, I only just made it across the line.
“We had very solid pace at Phillip Island, I converted my first pole position into another race win, which is absolutely awesome.”
After winning the opening event, the finishing positions were inverted for Race 2 where he finished sixth as a fast start in the final led to a dramatic start where he, Jordan Cox and Fabian Coulthard went three-wide through Turn 1.
Further contact followed as Cox and Hanson recovered through the field, dropping the latter a lap to afflict repairs.
“We knew we were going to have mega speed and it was just all about getting off the line as we had good tyres in our bank,” Hanson explained.
“There was a little bit contact at Turn 1. Play on, that’s racing, we’re all fighting hard. There was a bit of Tokyo Drift action in the save.
“We had really, really good pace and I caught up to Coxy, but we had contact on the straight resulting in a punctured right-rear tyre, which ruined my whole race.”
Another new circuit beckons for the Audi in regard to the revered Mount Panorama across the Easter long weekend next month where the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia competition promises to hot up.
“I think it’s going to be hard,” said Hanson regarding continuing the success. “I’ve always been quick around there in the Alfa, we’ve always had a lot of pace, but obviously the Audi hasn’t raced there yet.
“If I can be on point and we can then finetune the Audi, to get it there or thereabouts through practice ahead of qualifying, we’ll be up there in the races.
“Eyes forward to Bathurst.”
More than 70-entries have been received for this year’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour in what is the ultimate production car event, which is joined by the third round of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia and Turtle Wax Trans Am Series, the MRF Tyres Australian Pulsar Racing Association, NSW Historic Touring Cars and NSW HQ Holdens.
All of the action will be live, ad-break free and on demand exclusively on Stan Sport in Australia.
CLICK HERE to secure your tickets to the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.