HYUNDAI ace Josh Buchan says tyre conservation will be less of a factor than ever in the 2023 TCR Australia Series thanks to the new Kumho control rubber.
The field was granted a four-hour test yesterday at Symmons Plains, on the eve of Round 1, to get to grips with the new tyres following the off-season switch from Michelin.
The feedback was positive.
“The new Kumho tyres were excellent,” Buchan said.
“We haven’t really had to adjust the car too much to be honest, we basically bolted the Kumhos on and away we went.
“The life of the tyre is very good. In the past, we’ve maybe had to conserve tyres possibly a little bit more, whereas now I know other drivers have completed 60 laps and they are still good to go.
“It’ll make for good racing as we can push harder for the race’s duration.”
Fellow Hyundai driver Bailey Sweeny topped the session with a 55.877s, putting him 0.023s clear of Will Brown who is armed this year with an upgraded Audi.
Zac Soutar, Ben Bargwanna and Aaron Cameron rounded out the top five.
The first practice session of the season will start at 12:15pm local time (AEDT) today at Symmons Plains.
Other categories running at the Race Tasmania event include S5000, Touring Car Masters and the National Trans Am Series.
Meanwhile, veteran official Tim Schenken has been appointed Motorsport Australia race director head coach, working with the likes of new TCR race director Michael Smith.
“I am looking forward to heading to Symmons Plains and taking on this new and exciting role with a category that is going from strength-to-strength,” Schenken said.
“Working closely with Michael is a terrific opportunity for me, having been colleagues for his 20-years at Motorsport Australia and I have full confidence in his abilities.
“It was always going to be hard to keep me away from Race Control and I am thrilled to be assisting Michael and the other Race Directors by passing on my knowledge where needed.”
