Canberra-based Tilton Racing has confirmed it will enter a Hyundai i30 N TCR into the 2020 TCR Australia series, fielding Bathurst-based racer Brad Shiels in this year’s six-event season.
Shiels, 26, has already tested the team’s car when he took to the Sydney Motorsport Park, also the venue for this year’s first round, just before the COVID-19 lockdown in March.
Coming from production car racing, Shiels progressed on to Sport Sedans, Australian GT and Radicals before last year competing in the Suzuka 10 Hour GT race and winning the World Time Attack open class at Syndey Motorsport Park.
Shiels also currently holds the lap record around the Mount Panorama circuit in a Radical sportscar.
Shiels will campaign the i30 N TCR car which is owned by Kosta Pohorukov, which was purchased last year but has sat unraced until now.
“This is going to be a great opportunity,” said Shiels. “I love the TCR category, it has competitive racing and some high profile names so it’s going to be great to be a part of it.
“The calendar, considering the limited racing that we’re having this year, is awesome.
“I grew up in Bathurst, so that is my home track, but you don’t get to race there very often, so I’ve done most of my racing at Sydney Motorsport Park. I know my way around that place, so it will be great to start the season there.
“In terms of results, I really don’t know what to expect. I’ve only driven the car once at a test day. I don’t have any expectations. We’ll just see how we go and try and work our way to the front.”
Louis Kapitsas, Team Manager of Tilton Racing, is buoyed by the performances of the privateer teams in last year’s inaugural season.
“I like TCR; it is a good controlled category with a strong price point,” said Kapitsas.
“The different brands of cars appear to be quite similar, so it comes down to a fast driver and good team to put together a strong package.
“We’ve seen some of the other private entries do quite well, so that gives our team a bit of confidence too.
“Brad is an awesome young driver. He can drive, level headed and he is keen, which is what you need from a driver.”