Tyre manufacture Michelin will be putting its name behind a new class trophy for next year’s inaugural TCR Australia Series.

With the much-anticipated series to be divided into two sets of competitor classes, privateers and professionals, privateer racers will compete for the Michelin Cup.

Michelin Australia Marketing Manager, Swaroop Tulsidas was thrilled the manufacturer  was able to offer naming rights on top of supplying tyres.

“As the preferred tyre supplier of TCR Australia, we are thrilled to be part of the Michelin Cup as part of our belief in the series for 2019 and beyond,” Tulsidas said. 

“Michelin’s increased promotion of Australian motor sport, not only reaffirms our commitment to nurturing future talent at all levels, but strategically providing a pathway to the highest level of competition through each of the local categories we support.”

Like most categories, competitors competing in the Michelin Cup will score points for both their class and the outright point score. 

Australian Racing Group’s Matt Braid believes the two systems will help interested drivers from all walks of life be part of the action. 

“The TCR formula is designed to encourage the best race drivers to compete in a cost-effective, even and competitive field,” Braid said.

“Touring Car racing is cut-throat – the cream rises to the top – but we understand that for some, racing cars comes second to business pressures and lifestyle choices. 

“So along with our great tyre partner Michelin, we are encouraging racers of all types, whether they are professionals or private concerns, to have the chance to compete at the level that they choose.

“There will not be a separate championship or points scoring structure, simply reward for those who are not considered as professional in the competitive world of motor sport.

“We’ve enjoyed some great feedback since we officially launched the series last week, and it was apparent that for our first year, we are going to attract a wide variety of drivers, and Michelin was also very supportive of this, so were are pleased to have the Michelin Cup as a part of TCR Australia in 2019.”

TCR Australia’s inaugural season will kick off at Sydney Motorsport Park with the Shannons Nationals on 17-19 May, 2019.