Kody Garland will take on the TCR World Tour this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park, as part of round six of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season.
SMP is as close as Taree based Garland has to a home event on the 2023 calendar, and it’s a venue at which he’s raced extensively in recent years.
Earlier this year, Garland took on SMP when he made his impressive S5000 debut. In 2022, SMP was scene to a spectacular race three charge from the back of the field to a top 10 in TCR. While in 2021 Garland took victory in the Aussie Racing Cars visit to the Eastern Creek circuit.
After battling a run of bad luck through 2023, Garland delivered some of his best pace at the most recent round in Sandown. After being escorted off the road late in race one, Garland rebounded with a drive from the back to the top five early in race two, before a damaged splitter cost him valuable downforce and positions, miring him back in the pack for race three.
Round six of the 2023 TCR season is the first week of a doubleheader to conclude the season, combining with the World Tour to bring a host of international racers to the expanded 25 car grid. The action runs across two days and nights, with a condensed weekend format.
“It’s felt like forever since the last round, I’m pumped to be going back racing,” said Garland.
“The field looks incredible, and the racing is going to be off the scale with a more substantial grid. I won’t be surprised to see the international guys come in and put it up the front, they are the best touring car drivers in the world after all, so it’s important not to underestimate them.
“We had a couple good races in Sydney last year, and it’s a place I’ve always gone pretty well at, so I’m feeling good about the weekend. I love the shorter format as well, the quickfire events are always more enjoyable for me.
“Last round if felt like we’d broken all the superstitious rules, and had some awful luck, so I’ve been staying away lately from all the black cats, broken mirrors and such…fingers crossed we get to show off our pace this weekend,” concluded Garland.
Round six of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season commences with practice, qualifying and race one on Friday the third of November, before two more races on Saturday.