Young New Zealander Ben Stewart will join the TCR Australia series grid for the next event at Queensland Raceway, as he races an Audi RS3 LMS TCR for 99motorsport.
The team had previously entered one of the first-generation cars for team owner Marcus LaDelle in the season opener at Sandown, but due to accident damage in the weekend’s final race, have been absent from the following three events in the four months thereafter.
Now the team will re-join the grid for the fifth event of the year on 2 – 4 August, with 19-year-old Kiwi Stewart getting behind the wheel of the car.
Stewart won the inaugural Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series (TGRA86) Scholarship Shootout in 2023, and has since also competed in the Trans-Tasman Challenge in TA2 machinery over the Summer.
This year he has continued in Australia in the TGRA86 series, where he sits inside the top five in the Scholarship Series.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of a front wheel drive turbo, amongst some proper race car drivers,” said Stewart. “There really isn’t anyone there that hasn’t got a resume, so I can’t wait to be amongst it.
“I’ll be happy to finish all three races amongst the pack, but in the meantime I’m doing thousands of sim laps!”
The team are finalising work on the car ahead of a planned pre-event test, and will showcase the car in a new livery for the August event.
“Ben is a standout talent that has adapted to everything he has put his butt in,” added LaDelle. “I can’t wait to see the car on track again.
“I have no doubt that he will challenge the top ten at Queensland Raceway even with the added challenge of racing the 86 at the same event.
“It’s been a tough year having the car parked, but I’m very proud that one of my young guys can get and have a crack.
“Will Brown proved in 2022 that this car can compete at Queensland Raceway, so we’ll focus on the setup Will worked with and give Ben the best chance of fighting.”