Photo: TCR Australia

TCR Australia season start postponed due to border closures

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The opening round of the 2020 TCR Australia Racing season has been delayed from August to September amidst a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced state governments to close borders.

Initially planned to get underway in the middle of August, the second TCR Australia season, as well as other Motorsport Australia categories, will now begin on September 4-6 at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships Director Michael Smith has cited the latest round of border closures between Victoria and New South Wales as the reason why the TCR Australia, S5000 and Australian GT championships won’t get going until the ninth month of the year, allowing all teams to participate when racing does get going.

“We were hoping that the August date would be possible, however with a large number of teams Victorian based and unable to travel freely between New South Wales and Victoria, we felt the only option was for the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships to take place on the first weekend in September,” Smith said.

“Opening our season at Sydney Motorsport Park is certainly an exciting prospect and we know that this new date will be upon us very soon. Ultimately, we all want to go racing as soon as we can.

“We know this year is one that is very fluid and we are greatly appreciative of the support of all our categories and circuit managers for their flexibility and understanding.

“This new Sydney date may mean that we have to change dates for future rounds, however together with the team at Australian Racing Group, we will provide updated information as soon as we are able to.”

CEO of the Australian Racing Group, Matt Braid, has said it’s important for the ARG to be flexible with an ever changing enviroment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The current coronavirus crisis is unprecedented and we have to remain flexible in how we adapt to the ongoing impact on our return to race plan,” Braid said.

“As we’ve seen the situation in Victoria develop over the past few days, and considering the many affected teams, moving the date back was the best outcome for all. 

“We’re excited that we have a new date for Sydney and working hard to get the clearest possible direction for our categories.”

In the meantime, the TCR Australia SimRacing Series continues which features the drivers and teams from this year’s real-life championship.