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Dual TCR champion predicts close combat at One Raceway
Dual TCR Australia Series winner Josh Buchan says that TCR Australia’s appearance at One Raceway in June will offer fans door-to-door action.
Having enjoyed his first drive of TCR in a test with HMO Customer Racing prior to his 2021 series debut, Buchan is eager to tackle the newly-revitalised layout.
“Before I joined TCR Australia I was strictly an open-wheeler driver coming from Formula 3, so you can imagine my surprise turning up to what was then Wakefield Park to drive a touring car,” reflected Buchan.
“I couldn’t believe how much the TCR moved around, how busy it was to drive, and how difficult it was with the body roll to pull them up.
“The old layout is more stop and start compared to the current One Raceway configuration. It certainly will be very cool to return to the track where I got my first TCR experience and race there this time.”
The One Raceway configuration will be well suited to the dynamic racing TCR Australia has built a reputation for according to Buchan, as he aims to complete a hat-trick of titles in his HMO Customer Racing Hyundai i30N Sedan TCR.
“I think TCR will suit the track perfectly,” Buchan said.
“They’re pretty fast around Turn 1 relative to anything and with the new upgrades including the surface, I think it’s going to be really, really cool.
“From what I’ve seen by opening the track up in the slower corners and adding some banking, it is going to be crucial to be accurate now more than ever. The TCR cars have no problem rubbing up against each other and moving one another out of the way if need be. I can’t wait to drive around there.”
One Raceway’s layout sets the stage for an action-packed weekend of racing, particularly for Race 2 featuring the inverted top 10 grid.
“I think when it comes to our reverse top 10 races, there will be a bit going on due to cars trying to move up the field,” Buchan said.
“With the circuit being narrower compared to The Bend and some other places we’re going to go to, watch out for Race 2 at One Raceway.”
TCR Australia will make its maiden appearance at Carco.com.au Raceway in Perth to open the season on June 6-8 ahead of the category’s debut at One Raceway on June 27-29.