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Potential yet to be unlocked for Tufflift Racing
Tufflift Racing signalled its long-term Supercheap Auto TCR Australia ambitions during the off-season when it imported a brand new Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen2 into the country prior to Round 1 at AWC Race Tasmania, but it proved a frustrating event for the squad.
Launching the new livery at Symmons Plains prior to action starting, Tufflift Racing and Zac Soutar were excited to drive the Audi for the first time during the four-hour pre-event test to experience the new Kumho control tyres.
Ending the test third proved a great beginning for the Tufflift Racing Audi and carried through practice on Friday when he replicated the result.
Qualifying started well as Soutar placed the Tufflift Racing Audi in third after the first segment of two-part qualifying, but problems arose soon after as he failed to set a lap after a failure in the driveshaft.
The similar entry of Will Brown also had the same problem, with both ruled out of Race 1 and potentially the weekend.
Repairs were completed overnight in Launceston to try to rectify the problem and both Audis started Race 2, but the driveshaft component failed once again ending the weekend.
Although it proved a difficult debut for the Tufflift Racing Audi, it displayed great promise as the next round at Phillip Island should be well suited to the flowing layout.
“It’s a massive shame for the team,” said Soutar.
The car only arrived just over a week ago, and it was such a big effort from all involved to turn it around and get it down to Tasmania for Round 1. It’s just so disappointing that we didn’t even really get to race it.
“What hurts even more is the fact that the car was so fast. When you’ve got a fast car, you always want to make the most of it results wise, and unfortunately we didn’t even get the chance to have a crack.
“Hopefully we can get the issues sorted and come back swinging at Phillip Island for Round 2.”
The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series continues at Phillip Island as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on May 12-14.
Get yourself trackside for the Phillip Island Shannons SpeedSeries event. Visit http://www.motorsportickets.