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SYDNEY SUCCESS A NON-FACTOR FOR HOMETOWN BUCHAN
Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series title contender, Josh Buchan will enter Race Sydney with an open mind following an impressive run at form in his home state.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success at Sydney Motorsport Park in recent years, with three race wins in his previous six category appearances being more than any other active driver in the field.
In addition, it’s worth noting that no currently active driver has secured a win at Eastern Creek since 2021, with the exclusive list of drivers who have claimed top honours at the circuit limited to Jay Hanson (2022), Nathan Morcom (2022) and Michael Caruso (2021).
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While many might consider Buchan as a pre-round favourite, the driver himself will approach Race Sydney with an open mind and soak in the benefits of a home race.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Sydney Motorsport Park. Over the years I have always happened to go well there, and it is probably my strongest track for whatever reason,” Buchan said.
“It is good knowing I’m heading to a venue that I know quite well, and have had great results at in the past. All my racing is usually interstate, so it is going to be nice to be able to go home, zone out, talk to my partner, and feed my dog at the end of the day.
“But despite my results in previous meetings, this year I’m in a different car and up against different competition, so it’s not a foregone conclusion that we can take as much success in the previous years.
“I’m confident in myself wherever I go. This year is a different challenge in a new car that we are still tinkering with. There are rounds where we have got it right, and some where we have been terribly wrong.
“TCR is one of those categories where you think you are going to be good, then you turn up and you are rubbish. Then you think you are going to be rubbish and you leave with a trophy. So we will see what happens.”
The New South Welshman is coming off one of his worst rounds of the year at Sandown Raceway last month, with his best finish an uncharacteristic fifth place in Race Two at the iconic Victorian circuit.
The result means Buchan will enter the penultimate round of the season second in the series standings – 30 points behind HMO Customer Racing teammate, Bailey Sweeney.
“I think this track will treat us more than Sandown – that was the worst venue we could go to in this car, but I think the Sydney layout will be a lot nicer to us,” Buchan explained.
“I have been thinking about the title since the first practice session in Tasmania, anyone who says they haven’t are just copy and pasting the cliché.
“It’s been on my mind all year, and until I’m either out of the race or won it myself, it will be the number one priority.
“It will definitely be an uphill battle, Bailey has the fastest car in the field at the moment and isn’t making any mistakes, but I plan on hanging around the top five and keeping up as much scoreboard pressure as I can.”
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Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will next feature at Race Sydney on 3-4 November, and it will be the first of two Kumho TCR World Tour rounds down under.
