Australian Racing Group has confirmed the preliminary 2021 TCR Australia calendar, which will feature six championship events run between January and September.
After a difficult 2020 season, which saw the championship unable to get underway due to COVID-19 restrictions and border controls in Australia, ARG has today announced a full calendar for 2021.
The championship will visit four different states, starting at Symmons Plains Raceway at the end of January next year.
After the season opening event, the series will once again be run as part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships for the second to sixth events.
The first event in Tasmania will be run as part of the ‘Race Tasmania’ festival, taking place over three days starting on Sunday and concluding on Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January.
Four days later, on 29 – 31 January, a non-championship invitational race will be held at the Baskerville Raceway.
The date for the second event at Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit has yet to be confirmed but is planned to be within a month in February.
The series will then move to Bathurst for the first time for the easter weekend as a support event on the Bathurst Six Hours.
The series then moves to Sydney Motorsport Park in late April / early May, the scene of the first-ever TCR Australia event, before making a first visit to Morgan Park Raceway in June.
The season finale is planned to take place at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne on 10 – 12 September, whilst a non-championship event as part of the inaugural Bathurst International will be held on a yet-to-be-confirmed date, likely to be in November or December 2021.
“ARG is pleased to move forward with our racing plans and schedule for 2021 after what can only be described as a difficult and challenging 2020,” said Matt Braid, CEO of Australian Racing Group.
“Our competitors have remained patient and resilient during this time, and I know that everyone is really excited to get back behind the wheel, entertaining the fans at the track and TV viewers around Australia.
“The circuits on our calendar offer our competitors a great mix of our best race tracks, including ARG’s first trip to Symmons Plains in Tasmania.
“We have also built in a number of contingency plans into our 2021 dates and venues, considering how quickly the world can change. This will keep us flexible and agile in these uncertain times.
“Despite the fact that our TCR cars and drivers have been parked for almost a year, the desire of teams to get back out and showcase this fantastic international touring car formula is second to none. We know they are going to produce a great show when they hit the track.”
Provisional 2021 TCR Australia Series calendar
Symmons Plains Raceway, January 24-26
Baskerville Raceway (invitational), January 29-31
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, February TBC
Mount Panorama, Bathurst, April 2-4
Sydney Motorsport Park, April 30-May 2
Morgan Park Raceway, June 25-27
Sandown Raceway, September 10-12
Bathurst International, TBC