6 June 2023 |

Richards confirmed for strong TCR field at Winton

New recruit Clay Richards has been confirmed to join the strong Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series field during next week’s Hi-Tec Oils Race Winton.

The third-generation driver under the famous surname will make his series debut behind the wheel of a Shannons Insurance MPC backed #4 Audi RS3 LMS, after previously taking part in the Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM) combine earlier this year.

Many familiar names will join the Victorian on the grid at the Winton Motor Raceway, including current series leader and HMO Customer Racing driver Bailey Sweeny.

Sweeny will be alongside HMO Customer Racing teammate and Phillip Island round winner Josh Buchan for the event, with the pair looking to take full advantage of the tight and twisty circuit to further display their presence at the top of the standings.

The Hyundais are certain to come under immense pressure from the likes of Jordan Cox and Aaron Cameron in the Garry Rogers Motorsport prepared Peugeot 308s, with the duo sitting second and third on the standings respectively.

Ahead of the category’s return to Winton, Cox believed he had what It takes to win the title.

“I have got full trust in the GRM crew with what they do, there are four drivers in GRM and we have all got our own unique driving styles but we work very well together to go down a path then put our own personal touches on things,” Cox said.

“I’m pretty confident moving forward, the boys have had some good tests and we have seemed to have made a great gain.

“I am here to win the series, I’m not here just to make up the numbers. I haven’t had the race wins I’ve wanted but I’ve been up there a lot of the time.”

Joining Cox and Cameron in GRM garages is Kody Garland, who starting to gain some traction ahead of the third round of the season.

Reigning champion, Tony D’Alberto will once again be behind the wheel of his Wall Racing Honda Civic FK7 and will try and put himself back into the title race with other contenders Carl Cox Motorsports Michael Clemente and Forza Brakes Motorsports Lachlan Mineeff.

After making his series debut at Phillip Island, Brad Harris will compete in his Exclusive Switchboards Honda Civic Type R for the second time this season, while Englishman Tom Oliphant will once again pilot the new Autoglym/ASM Lynk & Co.

A notable absence will be 2019 champion Will Brown, who will be travelling to the United States for a fact-finding mission at a Nascar race in St Louis – but the Luqui Moly/Melbourne Performance Centre driver has been confirmed for the remainder of the season.

Two drivers who will be looking to take full advantage of Brown’s absence will be Tufflift Racings Zac Zoutar and Iain McDougall, with hoping to get off the bottom of the standings.

Saturday’s coverage on Stan Sport will take place from 11:00am to 5:00pm AEST, while 9Gem will showcase the series live and free from 2pm AEST. Sunday’s Stan Sport coverage will start from 9:30am and will conclude at 5:00pm.

Tickets to the event can be purchased via motorsporttickets.com.au with plenty of ticketing options available.

The Shannons SpeedSeries’ Hi-Tec Oils Race Winton takes place at Winton Raceway on 9-11 June.

ENTRY LIST

Car #	SPONSOR	DRIVER	STATE	VEHICLE	MODEL	CC	COLOUR
1	Honda Wall Racing	Tony D’Alberto	VIC	Honda	Civic FK7 TCR	1998	Red/White
4	Shannons Insurance MPC	Clay Richards	VIC	Audi	RS3 LMS SEQ	1984	Green/White
14	Purple Sector	Lachlan Mineeff	NSW	Audi	RS3 LMS SEQ	1998	Orange
15	Carl Cox Motorspport	Michael Clemente	VIC	Cupra	Leon Competicion TCR	1998	Black/Red
18	Team Valvoline GRM	Aaron Cameron	VIC	Peugeot	308 TCR	1600	Red
22	Challenge Motorsport	Iain McDougall	VIC	Auid	RS3 LMS SEQ	1984	Red/Silver/Black
30	HMO Customer Racing	Josh Buchan	NSW	Hyundai	i30N Sedan	1999	Blue/Orange
33	Schaeffler GRM	Jordan Cox	NSW	Peugeot	308 TCR	1600	Green/White
41	Valvoline Racing GRM	Kody Garland	NSW	Peugeot	308 TCR	1800	Red
71	Burson Auto Parts Racing	Ben Bargwanna	VIC	Peugeot	308 TCR	1600	Blue/Red/White
74	Exclusive Switchboards / Wall Racing	Brad Harris	NSW	Honda	Civic FK7 TCR	1998	Aquamarine
110	Team Soutar Motorsport	Zac Soutar	VIC	Audi	RS3 LMS TCR	1998	Black/Yellow
115	Autoglym / Ashley Seward Motorsport	Tom Oliphant	NSW	Lynk & Co	CO 03 TCR	1750	White/Red/Green
130	HMO Customer Racing	Bailey Sweeny	NSW	Hyundai	i30N TCR	1999	Blue/Orange