Ben Bargwanna has confirmed he will return to TCR Australia for a fourth successive season, once again racing a Peugeot 308 TCR prepared by Garry Rogers Motorsport.
The 22-year-old will have backing from Hangcha Forklifts, who he began working with in 2023, for the full-season campaign.
Third-generation racer Bargwanna is also targeting further international races this year, having competed in two European rounds in 2023 as well as the Australian and Macau rounds of the TCR World Tour.
Bargwanna finished a career-best seventh overall in last year’s TCR Australia series, and took his career podium tally to seven with another two visits to the rostrum, to add to his maiden win he scored in 2022.
He also earned pole position at Sydney Motorsport Park, before reliability woes hampered the rest of his weekend.
Bargwanna will start the season in the same Peugeot 308 he raced last year, before switching to the new-generation GRM-constructed 308 TCR later in the year.
“It’s going to be a big year,” said Bargwanna. “The way we approach the season will be very different to previous years and it will be important to maximise the rounds when we don’t have the new Peugeot.
“Then, when the new 308 TCR comes on stream, we can take full advantage to be in title contention at the end of the year.
“Hangcha came onboard last year in supporting some S5000 and TCR campaigns and we’ve built a good relationship. Hangcha enjoyed the experience last year, so going into this year with its support is pretty awesome and it will be a big season for us.
“At the moment we’re focused on Australia, but if we can make some things happen overseas it’d be awesome and we’ll be pushing hard to get those opportunities.
“I travelled overseas last year and got a taste for what it’s like to compete against the best TCR teams and drivers. I know what to expect, and I really hope we can get the right deals across the line to get back there and have another crack.”
Ben’s father Jason Bargwanna, who is also the Team Manager, says they are hoping to tackle additional TCR World Tour rounds in the new car later in the year.
“Ben and I are excited to welcome a global brand in Hangcha Forklifts as a supporter this season,” said Jason Bargwanna.
“Since we linked up with Hangcha last year, it’s been great to build the relationship as it targets a larger market share both here in Australia and across the world.
“Ben is suiting up for his fourth season of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia and will be aiming to build on the learning from contesting three international TCR World Tour rounds last year.
“He has won in the Peugeot before and took a TCR World Tour pole position, so I’m sure Ben is in for a successful season.
“It comes at an exciting time for the category and Garry Rogers Motorsport as development of the new Peugeot 308 TCR continues.
“We’ll be waiting on a timeline for its debut as we target further international TCR World Tour rounds as we aim to spearhead the Peugeot’s maiden overseas events.”