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Michael Caruso excited for success at Supercheap Auto Bathurst International
Following victory at Sandown and a competitive display at Bathurst earlier this season, Michael Caruso is aiming to end his first Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season with Ashley Seward Motorsport on a high.
Driving the Autoglym Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR, Caruso sits 12th in the standings entering the season finale at the inaugural Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.
Plagued by bad luck, Caruso’s position in the standings isn’t indicative of his season to date as he has been a contender at most rounds.
However, Caruso’s confidence is high given the pace displayed at the previous rounds in addition to his previous Bathurst form where he scored two podiums last year and just missed it at Easter.
“It is good to go to Bathurst knowing how competitive we are,” Caruso emphasised. “It’s a very different circuit of course to Sandown but we were quite strong here earlier this year.
“We won’t have the extra weight in the car that we had back then either, success ballast from qualifying results, which makes me pretty excited to see how we go.”
Reflecting back on his Sandown success, which came after post-race penalties were applied was just reward for effort after coming back from an earlier collision during Race 1.
“That was a unique way to win a race, but I feel it was thoroughly deserved with the speed we showed,” he explained.
“Had we not been taken out earlier in the weekend, we’d have been starting much closer to the front in Race 3 and would have been really challenging for the win on the racetrack.”
Turning his focus to Bathurst, Caruso detailed the distinctive characteristics making up Australia’s premier circuit.
“Bathurst is a unique circuit in any car, but in a TCR machine the way you have to extract that speed is eye opening,” said Caruso.
“The nature of the track demands a lot of front grip and to get that in these cars requires a loose rear. Having a car that is wild and very ecstatic in the rear as you go across the top of the mountain, the place you want to feel most comfortable, is pretty wild.
“I think it’s a good spectacle though, seeing that tail wag over the mountain and feeling it in the car is very exciting.”
Tickets are available at https://bathurst.international/
If you can’t make it to Mount Panorama, broadcast can be seen live and ad-break free on Stan Sport on Saturday and Sunday. Sign up now for your free 7-day trial >> https://www.stan.com.au/watch/sport/motorsport
The Nine Network will also offer live free-to-air coverage on 9Gem from 3pm-5pm AEDT. Check your local guides.
International viewers can watch on https://motorsport.tv/