News
Luke King returns to Supercheap Auto TCR Australia grid for Bathurst
Luke King will return to the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia grid at Bathurst this weekend, competing in the DashSport Hyundai i30 N TCR, previously raced by namesake Michael King.
A front runner in last year’s title, King enters the Mount Panorama round with minimal testing, however is thrilled to make his comeback to the grid after striking a late deal with DashSport to run the remaining rounds of the season.
King was team-mate to 2021 series winner Chaz Mostert in a Melbourne Performance Centre-prepared Audi RS3 LMS TCR, finishing fourth in the title race after scoring a best finishing position of second at Phillip Island.
This season, King has missed the opening two rounds, but adds further quality to an already illustrious field.
DashSport purchased its Hyundai i30 N TCR for the 2020 season, but due to the pandemic and other personal reasons, King has entered just one round of TCR at Sydney Motorsport Park.
King will announce his sponsors and reveal his livery at Bathurst on Thursday.
King’s return begins at Round 3 this weekend at Mount Panorama in support of the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, with opening practice commencing at 8:50am Friday, April 15.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or HERE.
Racing action on Saturday and Sunday can be seen live and on demand via Stan Sport.
QUOTES
Luke King
DashSport Hyundai i30 N TCR
“I wish we had done some testing prior to Bathurst being that I’m coming in with a new car, but I’m super excited,” said King.
“To be honest I didn’t expect it. It’s a shame that I missed the first couple of rounds, but we’re back now and we’ve got plenty of work ahead of us for the rest of the season.
“I think Hyundai has always been a very competitive package. Obviously, Will Brown won the inaugural title in a Hyundai back in 2019. Last year, the brand took race wins and even at the start of this year it was quick.
“For us it was about getting the right deal that worked for our sponsors, our budget and everything that’s involved on that side.
“The story with Michael was I spoke to HMO Customer Racing to run its fourth chassis and Nathan Morcom suggested King as his car is almost new. I gave Michael a call and he was really open to it, plus really excited because he had been following us for the last few years. He was really pumped to do the deal and have the sponsors coming on that we’ve got.
“Everyone who is involved is excited.
“It’s going to be an exciting year for me. Although it’s disappointing not to be fighting for the series title, it’s a position I’m not used to, but I’m locked in for the five rounds remaining and for every one of those we’re going to be pushing as hard as we possibly can for a win.”
Michael King
DashSport
“We are really excited to be involved with Luke going into Bathurst and beyond for the remainder of the 2022 Supercheap TCR Australia Series,” said King.
“The way it’s all evolved from the initial conversation to today has been really good, and we have worked well together in a short amount of time.
“Luke’s debut season beside Chaz was a standout and I believe we have the team to help him take the next step this season.”