TCR's New Season Begins

After a stellar season in 2023, that included two TCR World Series rounds, new winners and a championship duel that came down to the final race, the 2024 TCR Season was set to be even bigger.  Sandown Raceway would be where the action would begin.

Reigning champion Josh Buchan would be joined by Tom Oliphant at Hyundai as he departed Ash Seward Motorsport.  GT racer Dylan O’Keefe would return to replace Oliphant in the Lynk & Co car as Clay Richards would join Carl Cox Motorsport for his first full season of TCR.

The new Honda Civic Type R would begin its first full season with both 2022 champ Tony D’Alberto and Brad Harris piloting the new car, after it debuted in Sydney last year.

Toyota 86 champion Ryan Casha would jump into a GRM Peugeot 308 and would be joined on the grid by fellow rookies Glenn Nirwan from Indonesia and 99Motorsport team owner Marcus LaDelle, both driving Audi RS3’s. 

Track action would begin with Practice 1, where two red flags would be brought out, one for William Harris and the other for Glenn Nirwan, both getting stuck in the Turn 9 gravel trap.

Aaron Cameron would set the pace setting a lap time of 1:14.929, followed by Ben Bargwanna (1:15.237) and Tony D’Alberto (1:15.305) in the beautiful purple Civic.  In fact, the top three would be the same in Practice 2, with D’Alberto and Bargwanna trading places.

On Saturday, news would break from the Honda Wall Racing Garage.  William Harris would withdraw from the rest of the weekend due to a pre-existing injury.  His driver coach, former TCR race winner John Martin would be Harris’ replacement.

Josh Buchan would nab pole position with a 1:14.768 lap and would have Zac Soutar (1:14.842) line up beside him for Race 1.  Ben Bargwanna would qualify third (1:14.856) as fellow Peugeot driver Jordan Cox wouldn’t make it out due to mechanical issues.

Ben Bargwanna would fight past Josh Buchan at the final corner of lap one to take the lead.  Iain McDougall would have to retire with steering damage after contact with Glenn Nirwan as Jordan Cox climbed into the top 10.

Tom Oliphant and John Martin would have a fierce battle for tenth place, as it would be pole position for Race 2.  Up the front however, Ben Bargwanna would take the victory followed by Josh Buchan and Tony D’Alberto.

Before the start of Race 2, spectators would be able to come onto the grid and get up close to their favourite cars and drivers.  Jordan Cox was recently married, so I believe the fancy dress and inflatables were to celebrate his honeymoon, although I think Garry Rogers wanted to come along as well.

Honeymoon ready Jordan Cox came from sixth place to grab the lead early, as Clay Richards slotted in behind and the front row of John Martin and Dylan O’Keefe fell through the field.

The two Audi’s of Glenn Nirwan and Marcus LaDelle would come together and get stranded on track after Nirwan bounced off the Turn 4 kerb, collecting LaDelle.

After the safety car, it was a moment of deja vu, Jordan Cox versus the Cupra, a throwback to Phillip Island last year and Michael Clemente’s first win.  This time Jordan Cox wouldn’t succumb to the pressure and grab the win ahead of Richards as Ryan Casha would nab his first podium in third.

For the final race, Josh Buchan would be on pole, with Ben Bargwanna alongside, who would get the jump at the start.

The front pair would break away from the pack and Bargwanna would take the chequered flag and another emotional win ahead of Josh Buchan and Jordan Cox.

TCR Australia will now head to Symmons Plains in Tasmania with the rest of the Speed Series spectacle.  There we will see if Ben Bargwanna can continue with his winning form and who will rise for an early championship fight.

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