FRENCHMAN Teddy Clairet has become the first overseas driver to commit to the inaugural Bathurst International.
Clairet has signed on to make a one-off appearance in TCR Australia, driving a Garry Rogers Motorsport Peugeot 308 TCR.
It’s the same model of car which Clairet drove to victory last year at Circuit Paul Ricard in TCR Europe.
He will provide a fascinating benchmark against GRM’s other Peugeot drivers: Jordan Cox, Aaron Cameron, Dylan O’Keeffe and Ben Bargwanna.
“I’m really excited to come to Australia and race there,” said Clairet.
“Bathurst is a mythical track so, for me it’s a dream to race there and I’m really looking forward to discover this wonderful place.
“I have a lot of respect for this kind of track so I will use all the help that I can find to understand the track and enjoy the race.
“I really often watch highlights from TCR Australia, I’m following a lot the results in the series and I know that there is a very strong field.
“They are all specialists so I know that it will be hard on track. The races are full of entertainment, so I will do my best, respecting all the drivers and try to reach the best that I can.”
GRM director and Australian Racing Group co-owner Barry Rogers welcomed Clairet aboard.
“It will be fantastic to welcome Teddy into the GRM squad and have him as international representation at the Bathurst International,” he said.
“Teddy is a very experienced racer, and a really lovely guy too. He races in his family team, and that’s what we are all about at GRM. He is going to fit in really well.”
The Bathurst International will double as the 2022 TCR Australia title decider; Tony D’Alberto entering with a 56-point buffer over Cox.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how Teddy goes at Bathurst, while we will also have one eye on the series title too,” Rogers continued.
“Our man Jordan Cox is right in the fight for the title, and we’re all pushing as hard as we can to ensure that Jordan and the rest of our team are right at the pointy end of the field at Mount Panorama in November.”
The Bathurst International will run across November 11-13.
