A SHAKE-UP is coming to TCR Australia, with Lynk & Co’s title-winning model en route to join the competition.
Ashley Seward Motorsport will run the Lynk & Co 03 TCR as soon as Round 2 at Phillip Island in May.
It’s the second big coup for ASM this year, having already landed the signature of British Touring Car Championship race winner Tom Oliphant on a two-year deal.
Oliphant was solid in his TCR Australia debut last month at Symmons Plains, where he drove an Alfa Romeo, to hold fifth in the standings.
Established in 2016 as a joint venture between Geely Auto Group and Volvo Car Group, Lynk & Co was a dominant force in the now defunct FIA WTCR World Touring Car Cup.
It was in that competition that the ASM-bound chassis previously competed with Cyan Racing.
“We are proud to announce a significant new partnership with Geely Group Motorsport which will see Lynk & Co 03 TCR model represented in TCR Australia with our team,” said ASM owner Ashley Seward.
“We have been working with Geely Group Motorsport for some time on this project and they have been great to deal with throughout.
“We believe Lynk & Co offers the best TCR customer program in the world and have no doubt we can add to the success the brand has had in the highest levels of TCR globally.
“We feel that Lynk & Co, with our new driver Tom Oliphant and our valued sponsor Autoglym, will be a formidable combination and we can’t wait to get the car to Australia and out on track.”
Geely Group Motorsport Customer Sport director Ron Hartvelt hailed the move into a new market.
“We are delighted to welcome Ashley Seward Motorsport to our growing Customer Sport family and to see the Lynk & Co 03 TCR race on yet another continent, especially one with such strong motorsport heritage as Oceania,” said Hartvelt.
“TCR Australia is one of the toughest and most professional TCR championships out there and we look forward to supporting Ashley Seward Motorsport in their program, wishing them the best of luck this season.”
Lynk & Co joins brands including Honda, Audi, Hyundai and Peugeot in TCR Australia.
