News
Jay Hanson aiming to bounce back after character building Bathurst event
Heading into Round 3 of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia at Bathurst, Melbourne Performance Centre’s Jay Hanson held good momentum, but this changed on his opening lap of practice.
Hanson discovered just how unforgiving the Mountain can be when he found the concrete on his second lap of practice, damaging his latest specification Audi RS3 LMS TCR too severely to continue for the rest of the weekend.
To keep updated with TCR Australia like us on Facebook and to view the latest images follow our Instagram.
“Obviously opening practice, lap 1 put it in the wall and damaged our car,” summarised Hanson.
“It doesn’t matter if it was from oil or water, we ended up in the wall and that’s the end result.
The decision was made early to transfer Hanson into MPC’s spare older specification Audi previously raced by Luke King last year.
“We were just lucky enough to have the spare car here,” Hanson said.
“I think the boys would have been able to fix mine it was just a matter of why rush it and not have it at 100 percent when we have a spare car here.
“We decided early on – if it was within the rules – to get into another car and to have that opportunity to keep getting points at Bathurst was awesome and keeps us in the series fight.
“I’m glad to have MPC in my corner and they kept fighting all weekend.”
One thing which surprised Hanson in driving the previous model Audi was how different the characteristics are between the two models.
“It’s chalk and cheese, they’re completely different cars to drive,” Hanson described. “The older specification car is the first real that I’ve really noticed drives completely different compared to the Alfa Romeo and the newer Audi.
“The thing steers from the rear, which is something to really get used to, a whole heap of overlap between throttle and brake is needed, but with a little bit of time it’s a fast car to drive as Will [Brown] proves that.
“It’s the first big change I’ve seen between models and it’s been awesome to experience that.”
Although Bathurst proved a minor setback as he dropped 10th in the standings, however Hanson remains bullish about his title chances.
“We’re definitely not still out of it,” he declared.
“I’m really looking forward to Sydney Motorsport Park and the racing at night is going to be awesome for us. These cars thrive the fresh air with the turbos, so it should be good racing into the night.”
Hanson is due to return to his latest specification Audi at Sydney Motorsport Park.
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 at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 27-29.
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).