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Defending Champion Buchan Locks in Two Year Deal
Reigning Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Champion Josh Buchan will be back to defend his title after securing a breakthrough two-year deal with Hyundai.
Once again behind the wheel of the HMO Customer Racing-prepared Hyundai I30 Sedan N TCR he steered to an epic series title last year, Buchan has confirmed his place for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
While Buchan’s performance in the series over the past three years was one of the reasons behind the landmark deal, it wasn’t the only factor contributing to the popular manufacturer showing faith in the New South Welshman.
Buchan has already been involved with the team in multiple capacities across eight years, and will reach a decade by the end of next year.
From a TCR point of view, Buchan first got his chance to run in the series in 2021 when he replaced inaugural Series Champion Will Brown at HMO Customer Racing, joining Nathan Morcom at the team.
In his debut at Symmons Plains, Buchan enjoyed an impressive start with a podium in his first race before claiming a maiden victory later that year at Sydney Motorsport Park, where he picked up two wins.
Buchan continued with his good form in 2022 to finish third overall, registering a handful of podiums over the course of the seven-round season, including another win at Eastern Creek.
His reward for effort came last year though where two wins and a further six podiums helped him claim the series over teammate Bailey Sweeney – a battle that went down to the final race of the season.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Buchan has also confirmed he will run the number one plate for this campaign.
The 2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series season gets underway with the Shannons SpeedSeries’ first event of the year at Sandown International Raceway next month.
All seven rounds of TCR will be broadcast live and free via the Seven Network, with every race to form part of the jam-packed 7plus stream, while select races will be shown on free-to-air television.
Get tickets for the Shannons SpeedSeries’ Race Sandown via motorsporttickets.com.au
Quotes:
Josh Buchan
“I am very pumped to lock away a two year deal with a brand I am passionate and happy about having been involved for more than a decade now,” Buchan said.
“First and foremost, every driver dreams of getting an opportunity to race, but to get longevity and job security through a multiple-year deal is incredible, not only for peace of mind, but also for team consistency. We can get stuck into the job and focus on trying to win races and titles.”
“There is more contributing to the deal than just the results in the car. Of course, the title helped, but it’s a culmination of several years of loyalty I have with them, as well as the amount of events I do with them in the background. I have good relationships on all levels.
“I have felt at home with Hyundai since day one, and, in my eyes, it’s been a successful relationship. They want to go TCR racing, and they feel I am the right person for that. I have always said I will stick around for as long as they have me as it’s a great honour representing them.
“TCR is the natural choice for me to call home for my car racing and to have the switch to Seven is amazing and exciting for the series. The category has always been good to me, so it was a no-brainer to come back.”