The Australian Racing Group confirmed an expanded racing calendar for the 2020 TCR Australia, including a new TCR Asia Pacific Cup to kick off the year, plus a sprint race at the world-famous Mount Panorama circuit.
The new season will launch with a one-off race event at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, with competitors from Australia, New Zealand and around the world racing for the Asia Pacific Cup. The event will feature a three-race programme.
The 2020 TCR Australia proper will launch two weeks later at Sydney Motorsport Park for the first of seven events. The second will be the first TCR event to be held at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, part of the Bathurst 6 Hour weekend.
Winton Raceway and The Bend Motorsport Park make up Rounds 3 and 4, while the venue for the fifth round will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The title will be decided in the final two meetings to be held at Phillip Island and Sandown.
TCR competitors will also have the opportunity to compete in a one-off, non-points endurance event at the famous Mount Panorama circuit later in the year. More details of that race meeting will be made in due course.
Matt Braid, director Australian Racing Group, said: “The introduction of the TCR Asia Pacific Cup is the perfect way to kick off the new season. There will be a lot at stake when our local teams go up against some of the best TCR drivers and teams from around the world on the biggest stage that this country has to offer. Bringing Bathurst into our series is going to be a winner for everyone. It will be fabulous to see sprint touring car racing return to the iconic track in almost 25 years too. The TCR calendar featuring new and high profile events, plus the ability for the competitors to race against international competition further cements TCR Australia as the most international and market relevant touring car category in the country for drivers and teams alike.”
2020 TCR Australian Series calendar
TCR Asia Pacific Cup: F1 Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, 12/15 March
Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park, 27/29 March
Round 2: Bathurst 6 Hour, 10/12 April
Round 3: Winton, 1/3 May
Round 4: The Bend Motorsport Park, 12/14 June
Round 5: TBC, 3/5 July
Round 6: Phillip Island, 21/23 August
Round 7: Sandown, 11/13 September
New Bathurst event: Mount Panorama, Bathurst, date TBC