Michael King, a Production Touring Car racer in New South Wales, will graduate to the TCR Australia series in 2020, racing a Hyundai i30 N TCR for AH Racing.
King, 43, was a late starter in motor racing, beginning in super sprints before moving on to NSW Improved Production racing, where he took the title in each of the past two years.
This year King won the NSW Production Touring Car class, and he now has his sights set on an even higher level competing in TCR.
The brand-new car King will race will be run by King’s regular team DashSport, based in Galston, NSW, and entered under the AH Racing banner.
King will test the new i30 N TCR at Wakefield Park on Friday, with the test being overseen by Australian technical partner HMO Customer Racing.
“I’m really looking forward to making the big step up to TCR Australia. It’s going to be a year of fun,” said King.
“My plan is to ease our way into it. I want to finish each race and just build up my speed and results as the year progresses.
“Some of my friends and family have been saying to me that I should be aiming for a top ten, but really, I just want to have fun with it. I’m just grateful to have the chance to race at this level.
“I had watched a lot of international TCR racing prior to this year, and it’s very competitive and the cars are so cool.
“Once it was announced it was coming to Australia, I was really excited, and I wanted to race straight away, but I thought I’d watched from afar, and obviously, it has been awesome.
“I feel that ARG has done a really good job running it, the television package for 2020 is great and it was only a matter of time before I decided to have a crack at it.
“It is also great dealing with HMO Customer Racing too. Those guys have been unreal and a good support. They have been very helpful in every way.
“I’m asking questions every day and they help where they can. They are excellent and I can’t wait to get into the car on Friday and see what it’s all about.”