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26 April 2022 |

Carl Cox experiences first taste of TCR

International DJ Carl Cox has enjoyed his first experience of TCR after visiting privateer Michael Clemente’s workshop after a successful weekend at Bathurst, which has provided new found confidence in his Honda Civic Type R TCR.

Cox aligned with Clemente in what is a growing motorsport program encompassing drag and bike racing at various levels globally, but last week’s visit to the operation’s Melbourne-based workshop was Cox’s first experience of the category.

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It follows a frantic build up for the privateer due to an engine swap being required after Phillip Island, but Clemente’s crew worked hard to prepare the Civic Type R TCR for Bathurst.

“It was a hectic turnaround over the course of three weeks,” Clemente reflected.

“We had to source an engine from the Wall Racing team, we put that in our car, made sure it was alright and obviously no testing beforehand, so it was quite a bit to come up here with a few unknowns.

“There were no mechanical or set-up problems, the car was mickey mouse all weekend, so it was really good to have a clean event.”

Clemente believes he has taken large strides in both his driving and the set-up of the Civic Type R TCR.

“Our speed was bloody awesome,” said Clemente.

“We were really good over the top and fairly good down the hill, just track position killed us. I got strung wide a few times and the freight train came through, but we picked our way back to 12th.

“We did have the pace to be in the top 10, if not further up, but we’re not racing Excels anymore and there are no bad steerers.

“There’s still a bit more work to do, but we’re still happy.

“We’ll fight hard next round.”

Clemente is out of the series fight after missing AWC Race Tasmania and his engine problems at Phillip Island, but he is targeting consistency, which was achieved at Mount Panorama.

“The speed was good and it was a solid points haul for us,” he explained. “We just want to see some good one off results and that’s what we’re chasing.

“Now we’ve got a pretty happy car and I think at Sydney it will be good. I think the package we have now and all the support, I think it’s going to be a different result and I’m happy with the car, which is an advancement on last year as I’m now super confident in it.”

One highlight for Clemente at Bathurst was the addition of Ryco as a major partner for the round, which Clemente hopes will continue for the rest of the season.

“It was just a one-off for Bathurst, but we’re so happy with Ryco and the company is so good to deal with, everyone has said the car looks unreal,” Clemente enthused.

“We’re happy with how it looks, we hope we put on a good show for Ryco and we’re hoping to do more things with them in the future.

“It’d be awesome for Ryco to stay in TCR Australia as I think they’ve enjoyed it so far.”

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series headlines the third round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships where fellow Australian Racing Group categories the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters and Turtle Wax Trans Am Series feature.

Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, the Australian Production Car Series, Radical Cup and the Australian Prototype Series complete a stacked program of categories.

CLICK HERE to secure your tickets.

All the action can be viewed live and uninterrupted on Stan Sport, while a highlights package will be broadcast after the event on 9Gem (times to be advised).