The venue for TCR World Tour’s first visit to Australia, plus the final make-up of the 2023 Shannons SpeedSeries calendar has been locked in.

It has been confirmed that Sydney Motorsport Park will host the first-ever TCR World Tour event in Australia on November 3-5. It will see some of the best TCR drivers and teams from around the world converge on the western Sydney circuit, facing off against Australia’s TCR regulars.

The Sydney race meeting will see a night race held on Saturday evening – another TCR World Tour first.

The event will be the seventh round of the inaugural TCR World Tour and will be held one week before the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International. The second-running of the Mount Panorama meeting will double as Australia’s second TCR World Tour event and the final round of the 2023 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series. 

The final piece to the Shannons SpeedSeries calendar puzzle has been a joint effort between the Australian Racing Group, Motorsport Australia, Australian Racing Drivers’ Group and the WSC Group, promoters of the TCR World Tour. 

The calendar confirmation means that the original Sydney Motorsport Park date in June will change to the new November slot.

This change also means that Trans Am will also switch its calendar, with the Sydney round becoming its penultimate round.

Other classes for the SMSP November date will be confirmed in due course.

It will be a landmark moment for touring car racing in Australia, marking the first time in 25 years (1998 Super Touring Bathurst 1000) that world-standard touring cars teams have come down under to compete against our own cars and stars.

The event will be broadcast in Australia on Stan Sport, plus free-to-air coverage of Saturday night’s racing on the Nine Network’s channels.  

International viewers will be able to watch via SpeedSeries.com.au/TV

QUOTES

Liam Curkpatrick
Chief Operating Officer, Australian Racing Group

“We are pleased to formalise this deal that will see two weeks of world-class motorsport in New South Wales,” said Curkpatrick.

“To have the best TCR drivers and teams come to Australia is a great for our local competitors, really testing themselves against the world.

“And to conclude the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series with back-to-back rounds at Sydney and Bathurst is going to bring a lot of excitement and interest to TCR.”

Eugene Arocca
CEO, Motorsport Australia

“It’s terrific to confirm that both Sydney Motorsport Park and the iconic Mount Panorama will host back-to-back rounds of the Shannons SpeedSeries and TCR World Tour in November,” Arocca said.
 
“The opportunity to see more international level motorsport on two of our most iconic circuits is certainly an exciting prospect.

“This is certainly a boost for TCR in Australia and will also be an economic boost for NSW, both in the western Sydney and Bathurst regions with many competitors, officials and fans expected to attend each event. The Supercheap Auto Bathurst International will be a brilliant way to conclude the Shannons SpeedSeries for 2023.
 
“We look forward to delivering these events in collaboration with the team at ARG.”

Glenn Matthews
CEO, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club

“The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club celebrated its 70th year in 2022 with some phenomenal events, and we are thrilled to follow up in 2023 with the opportunity to co-promote the TCR World Tour event at our world-class Sydney Motorsport Park venue," said Matthews. 

“Our club's history includes the creation and establishment of hallmark motorsport events such as the Bathurst 1000; for our club and circuit to be part of bringing an international touring car class to Australia is another great achievement.

"We look at TCR as a class that has variety, great appeal for motorsport and motoring enthusiasts, and we can't wait to see how our local stars go up against the world's best under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park."

Updated 2023 SpeedSeries Calendar

Round 1: Race Tasmania, Symmons Plains – 24-26 February 
Round 2: Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour – 7-9 April

Round 3: Phillip Island – 12-14 May 

Round 4: Winton Raceway – 9 -11 June 
Round 5: Queensland Raceway – 11-13 August 
Round 6: Sandown International Raceway – 8-10 September

Round 7: Sydney Motorsport Park – 3-5 November* 

Round 8: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International – 10-12 November* 
*TCR World Tour Rounds