V8 TOURING Car Series winner Jude Bargwanna will make his racing return at Phillip Island this month with a debut appearance in TCR Australia.
The 19-year-old is set to compete in Round 3 at Phillip Island on April 12-14 aboard one of the recently dormant Alfa Romeo Giuliettas owned by Garry Rogers Motorsport.
Driven to four race wins by Jordan Cox in 2021, the car will be leased from GRM and run under the Jude Bargwanna Motorsport banner, sporting the #179.
Jude is the third Bargwanna to compete in TCR Australia, following cousin Ben – who is currently second in the 2024 standings – and uncle Jason, who last drove in 2021.
“I watched the last race in Tassie and got on the phone to Barry (Rogers) pretty much the next day, and we had a chat about leasing a car,” Jude explained.
“I know TCR is a great formula and I’ve been following it for a while with Ben in the category, I’ve also worked with GRM at the racetrack on these cars a few times as well.”
The TCR odyssey marks Jude Bargwanna’s first race outing since wrapping up the 2023 V8 Touring Car Series title at Bathurst last November.
He’s been on track today testing the Alfa Romeo for the first time at Phillip Island and hopes to contest the reminder of the season.
“It’s been real last-minute; the deal was put together just a week ago. We’re here with two car trailers and just Dad and myself running the car at the moment,” he said.
“We’ll run our own show here at Jude Bargwanna Motorsport, I’ve called up a few school mates to come in and help us next week at Phillip Island.
“It’s real exciting, to be running our own thing, and something I’ve been looking forward to.”
Bargwanna says he enjoys the flowing Victorian circuit but is unsure what to expect from his TCR debut.
“I have had some good results at Phillip Island in Formula Ford and other categories, it’s a special place in Australian motorsport and one of the best circuits in the category,” he said.
“At this stage we don’t have a lot of expectations, it’s going to be very new coming off what I’ve driven previously.
“I’m just looking forward to getting in the car, and we’ll take it round by round.”
