News
Iain McDougall commits to Supercheap Auto TCR Australia
It’s a matter of reacquaintance for Iain McDougall after confirmation he will enter the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series from Phillip Island onwards.
McDougall contested the final event of 2019 at The Bend Motorsport Park where he qualified inside the top 10 in his maiden TCR round.
To keep updated with TCR Australia like us on Facebook and to view the latest images follow our Instagram.
Again, aligning with Australian Audi agent Melbourne Performance Centre, McDougall will drive the RS3 LMS TCR factory ace Christopher Mies raced at Bathurst, which featured support from Lock and Load Transport.
An announcement on McDougall’s livery and sponsors will be announced closer to the Phillip Island event, however the Victorian is excited to confirm his presence in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia.
“The opportunity now has come up with everything sort of settled, we’ve got a good picture of what 2022 and onwards is going to look like, so there was a chance to step up and have a crack at it,” said McDougall.
One advantage McDougall has is his vast experience of front-wheel-drive having won multiple Victorian Under 2-Litre Sports Sedan titles in an ex-Mini Challenge R56.
“Going from a 1.6-litre to a 2-Litre isn’t a massive jump, but the Audi TCR is a little bit faster, a little bit more grip, a little bit more power and a bit better at everything,” McDougall explained.
The plan was for McDougall to step up into Supercheap Auto TCR Australia in 2020, however the pandemic has delayed it to this point where he’ll make his return at a familiar circuit in the form of Phillip Island.
“I really love the track and it’s a great place to be, anytime you get to run around there is a great day,” McDougall summarised.
“Unfortunately, Tasmania was a little bit too early in the season to get everything organised with work and other things in place, so we’ll sit back and hit the ground running at Phillip Island.”
McDougall is excited to join an increasingly competitive field, with a test planned at Phillip Island prior to his return.
“There are a great mix of drivers of varying experience and a lot to learn from a lot of good people, but there are a lot of young guys finding their way,” he said.
“Our approach is that this is effectively a two-year plan, so the first season we’ll learn and take as much success as we can gather along the way. Year two we’ll have a good crack at it.
“In terms of the first season, we just want to build on where we got to at The Bend so if we can run inside the top 10 that would be fantastic.”
McDougall’s return is slated for the second round of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia at the Phillip Island round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships on March 18-20.
Race Tasmania will launch the 2022 Australian motorsport season featuring Supercheap Auto TCR Australia, S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship and the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series.
Make sure you get your tickets through Moshtix.