The opening rounds for Supercheap Auto TCR Australia and Trans Am take place this weekend at Symmons Plains Raceway, and Ashley Seward Motorsport have two strong entries in both categories.
In TCR the team have a new signing by the name of Tom Oliphant, a two-time race winner in the British Touring Car Championship. Oliphant joins the team on a two-year deal with AutoGlym returning with their primary sponsorship onboard the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Alfa Romeo was competitive in 2021, with Lee Holdsworth steering the team to victory at Symmons Plains on his debut – a feat that Oliphant will be hoping to replicate in a few days.
Another unknown for TCR is the new Kumho tyre compound being introduced for the 2023 season, on which no team has tested yet. A four hour test on Thursday will be paramount to understanding the tyre and setting up a strong weekend.
Brett Holdsworth and his TPS Group Racing/Breeze Holiday Parks Camaro return to ASM for a second year following his superb 2022. Holdsworth has been fast at every track on the Trans Am calendar, but his speed at Symmons Plains has been particularly impressive across 2021 and 2022. If not for some unavoidable drama costing him some spots, Holdsworth would likely have stood on the podium 12 months ago just as he did in 2021.
The Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am was also rapid in its last outing where Holdsworth steered it to multiple podiums at the Bathurst International. The Camaro even had a little off-season birthday and heads to Tasmania looking almost like a brand new car.
All the action in Qualifying and the races will be live on Stan Sport, while the Nine Network will show live and free coverage from 2-5pm AEDT on Saturday.
TV Times and Schedule: BOLD = Live on Stan Sport, Italics = Live on Nine Network
Friday
12:10pm – TCR – Practice 1
12:45pm – Trans Am – Practice 1
3:00pm – TCR – Practice 2
4:00pm – Trans Am – Practice 2
Saturday
12:50pm – Trans Am – Qualifying
1:20pm – TCR – Qualifying
3:25pm – Trans Am – Race 1
4:10pm – TCR – Race 1
Sunday
12:50pm – Trans Am – Race 2
1:30pm – TCR – Race 2
3:25pm – Trans Am- Race 3
4:10pm – TCR – Race 3