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A positive start for Kody Garland the target in Tasmania
The 2023 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season will be all new for Kody Garland as he embarks on his second season at AWC Race Tasmania this weekend.
Not only will the driver from regional New South Wales need to adapt to his Team Valvoline GRM Peugeot 308 TCR, but the new control Kumho tyres for 2023.
All teams will conduct a four-hour tyre test at Symmons Plains prior to the opening round on Thursday to evaluate the new rubber.
“There’s not a lot we can do at this stage, we won’t know how the tyre will behave until we actually get to do some running on it,” Garland explained.
“It will definitely mean that the weekend really starts in anger during that test instead of practice one on Friday. Getting on top of the new tyre quickly will be critical to setting up a good result.”
Following a test in the Peugeot nearly a fortnight ago, Garland believes he can adapt to its characteristics at a circuit notorious for providing a close contest.
“I’m excited to hit the track,” he said. “Symmons Plains is an action packed place and it’s always very tight on the timing sheet.
“Because there’s so little to get right, every little mistake is exaggerated and can cost you a handful of positions. Qualifying will be one of the more important sessions of the year, overtaking is possible but it’s not always the easiest place to make it happen.
“The MTA NSW/Valvoline Peugeot should make a lot of its ground through the opening complex of turns and through the hairpin, so we’ll be working hard to build gaps in these areas. We should be competitive though, and I’m eager to get the season started on a positive note.”
Garland is set to make his Peugeot debut this weekend at AWC Race Tasmania.
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All of the racing action can be seen live and ad-break free on Stan Sport, plus free-to-air coverage on 9GEM on Saturday, February 25 from 2-5pm.