News

7 July 2022 |

Josh Buchan ready to return Hyundai back to the top

Pace has not been the question for Josh Buchan in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia rather it’s been consistency, but it appears he has discovered this in 2022.

Leading the HMO Customer Racing charge again this season with added backing from Hyundai’s N Performance arm, Buchan has cemented his place as a contender in this title. This has been demonstrated by improved performances at Symmons Plains and Bathurst, two circuits were the HMO Customer Racing team failed to find its mojo in 2021.

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Although teammate Nathan Morcom achieved pole at Symmons Plains, it was Buchan leading the way by finishing second, fifth and first across the line in the final race before a penalty for weaving once the safety car lights were off was applied. This dropped him to fourth.

A disappointing round at Phillip Island is the sole reason Buchan is not closer or even leading the standings as 14th was his best result after a retiring from Race 1.

The news was not improved as Bathurst proved a bogey track for the team in 2021’s two visits, but it was an amazing turnaround. Although outshone by impressive rookie teammate Bailey Sweeny, Buchan scored an eighth, third and fourth to put the Mount Panorama demons to bed.

Next on the calendar was Sydney Motorsport Park, a known Hyundai favourite.

Buchan took pole, then wrote himself into the record books by becoming the first driver to win a Supercheap Auto TCR Australia night race.

The inverted top 10 format of Race 2 hurt his weekend slightly as on old tyres he was unable to move through the field to finish 11th. But in the final event of the weekend, Buchan backed up teammate Morcom to seal an HMO Customer Racing 1-2 at its home venue.

Again, Buchan is another driver to not have driven in TCR at Queensland Raceway or Sandown, but the Hyundai package is very adaptable and user friendly as displayed by Will Brown during the inaugural season.

Buchan lies just 33-points behind Tony D’Alberto in the title race and is sure to add further wins to his tally before the end of the year is done.

The next round of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will be held within the SpeedSeries at Queensland Raceway on August 5-7.