Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria: HMO Customer Racing’s Josh Buchan says it is critical that he extends his lead in the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Championship in the second round of the Super Series at Phillip Island in Victoria this weekend.
Buchan holds a two-point lead in the title race after a consistent run at the front in the opening round at Symmons Plains in Tasmania last month. While brimming with confidence, the 27-year-old is aiming to leave Phillip Island with a bigger buffer to protect his position into following round at Bathurst, where success penalties will play a significant role in the performance of his Hyundai i30 N TCR.
“To win this championship, we have to look at the big picture and score maximum points where we know we can,” Buchan said.
“We had plenty of pace at Phillip Island last year, and we’re going to try and surprise ourselves again and run at the front this weekend.
“Symmons was a real confidence booster and it’s fantastic to be leading the championship, but losing that last race still stings. So, there is a race for me to go and win this weekend and hopefully stretch my advantage at the top of the ladder.”
The Tassie curtain raiser was also a breakthrough weekend for team mates Nathan Morcom and Bailey Sweeny.
For Morcom, he scored his first pole position in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Championship, finished on the podium in the opening race and lies fourth in the championship standings.
The Sydneysider is looking to continue his form at Phillip Island after finishing on the podium in the final race last year.
“The Hyundai i30 N TCR is quick at Phillip Island – we had pace all weekend last year,” he said.
“We need to capitalise on that this weekend and get as many points as we can.”
For Sweeny, the 19-year-old proved to be a star of the future at Symmons Plains when he challenged for a race victory – and scored a podium finish – in just his second TCR Championship race, despite never having raced at the tricky Tasmanian circuit.
The hot shot rookie has also never competed at the fast and flowing seaside circuit on Phillip Island but isn’t letting his lack of experience dampen his confidence.
“I’m not here to make up the numbers or have any excuses,” he said.
“It’s another new track for me, and hopefully we can come away with another podium. That would be pretty cool.”
Track action for round two of the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Championship begins on Friday with two practice sessions, with qualifying and race one to be held on Saturday with the final two races on Sunday.
2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Championship Points
1. Josh Buchan Hyundai i30 N TCR 118
2. Zac Soutar Honda Civic Type R 116
3. Tony D’Alberto Honda Civic Type R 114
4. Jordan Cox Peugeot 308 TCR 106
5. Nathan Morcom Hyundai i30 N TCR 101
6. Will Brown Audi RS3 LMS TCR 93
7. Jay Hanson Audi RS3 LMS TCR 88
8. Michael Caruso Alfa Romeo Giulietta 84
9. Brad Shiels Hyundai i30 N TCR 80
10. Aaron Cameron Peugeot 308 TCR 74
14. Bailey Sweeny Hyundai i30 N TCR 59
Phillip Island Fast Facts
Location: Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria
Length: 4.445km
TCR Lap Record: 1:37.2350 – Dylan O’Keefe, 2019
TCR Pole Record: 1:35.6708 – Chaz Mostert, 2021
Schedule
Friday March 18 Saturday March 19 Sunday March 20
Practice 1: 11:45am Qualifying: 11:20am Race 2: 1:05pm
Practice 2: 2:35pm Race 1: 4:10pm Race3: 4:10pm-4:40pm
Nathan Morcom – Phillip Island Results 2021
Practice 1: P2 – 1:37.5899sec
Practice 2: P4 – 1:37.9535sec
Qualifying: P7 – 1:36.4936sec
Race 1: P19 – 1:51.3829sec
Race 2: P10 – 1:38.2918sec
Race 3: P3 – 1:38.2129sec
Josh Buchan – Phillip Island Results 2021
Practice 1: P13 – 1:38.2796sec
Practice 2: P9 – 1:38.4769sec
Qualifying: P9 – 1:36.9459sec
Race 1: P7 – 1:51.2595sec
Race 2: DNF – 1:39.3930sec
Race 3: P9 – 1:38.4034sec
Bailey Sweeny – Phillip Island Results 2021
Practice 1: NA
Practice 2: NA
Qualifying: NA
Race 1: NA
Race 2: NA
Race 3: NA
Watch all the action from the Super Series live and on-demand via Stan Sport.