ANOTHER new marque will join the TCR Australia field next weekend at Phillip Island.
As exclusively reported by V8 Sleuth earlier this year, Michael Clemente and his Carl Cox Motorsport team will bring Spanish brand Cupra into the category.
Having previously represented Honda and Audi, Clemente purchased a Gen2 Cupra TCR which has now arrived from Barcelona.
“During 2022, the team and I had numerous conversations about where we go from here and how do we get there,” he said.
“We know that as a privateer team, we have to be very careful about how and where we spend our funds, but at the same time, set out a plan to challenge, regularly, for podium places.
“Once we all agreed on the plan, which was the easy part, we then had to work out how to make it happen.
“Without the amazing support of Carl, none of this would be possible.
“Back in November, given my experience of the Audi, and the MPC (Melbourne Performance Centre) team, we decided on Cupra. They had just started selling cars in Australia, but we would also be the only ones running a Cupra in the series.
“We ordered the car from Cupra, and knowing it would not make Round 1, set our sights on Round 2 – and it just made it!”
He added: “The new car really lightens up the entire picture.
“It truly is like a fresh start, and to be able to fight with this new and proven equipment is unreal. I’ve never been so hungry in my life before.”
Lynk & Co will also make its TCR Australia debut at Phillip Island, in the hands of Ashley Seward Motorsport’s Tom Oliphant.
