Josh Buchan is ready for a title assault on the 2023 TCR Australia Championship armed with a striking livery, created exclusively for his new-generation Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR, and supported by Hyundai Motor Company Australia.
The 28-year-old Sydneysider enters his third season in the TCR Australia Championship and will spearhead a streamlined two-car operation at HMO Customer Racing alongside last year’s rookie of the year, Bailey Sweeny, who will continue to compete in the Hyundai i30 N TCR (hatch).
Buchan will debut the new-look i30 Sedan N TCR, which takes inspiration from Hyundai Motorsport’s global racing activities, in the curtain raiser to the seven-round Speed Series at Symmons Plains in Tasmania this weekend.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer Ted Lee said: “Motorsport has been part of Hyundai N’s DNA even before we launched an N road car. From 2014 in the World Rally Championship, then from 2018 in world TCR, we have been competing and winning at the highest levels.
“Our new project with HMO and Josh Buchan in Australia is an exciting new chapter in our high-performance story. We wish him well.”
Josh Buchan said: “The car looks amazing with its striking new livery and I’m very proud to have the support of Hyundai Australia for the 2023 TCR Australia Championship.
“There is no doubt we have lifted the bar in terms of presentation this year, and now it is up to me and the team to elevate the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR to the position it deserves – at the front of the pack.”
Buchan finished third in the 2022 TCR Australia Championship standings with consistent front-running results, including six podium appearances with one race victory and pole position. He played a crucial role in HMO Customer Racing winning the 2022 TCR Australia Teams’ Championship.
Having christened the new-generation Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR with a podium finish in least year’s final round at Mount Panorama, Buchan believes he has the car to beat in 2023.
Similarly, Sweeny is confident of stepping-up to be a championship contender in his sophomore season.
The 20-year-old from Batemans Bay on NSW’s south coast was the standout rookie in 2022 with five podium finishes including two victories on the daunting Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst. He finished fifth in the championship standings.
Car 30: i30 Sedan N TCR – Josh Buchan
“I’m excited to get back in the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR and begin my title assault at Symmons Plains this weekend, a circuit that has been good for the team in the past.
“It was hugely beneficial for us to run the new car at Bathurst last year and get an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses in race conditions, and I feel confident we have the right ingredients to win in 2023.
“It has always been a dream of mine to compete in a world championship, which will be fulfilled this year with two rounds of the new TCR World Tour in Australia. It will be very special to race against the world’s best touring car drivers on our home turf. And hopefully we can do enough throughout the year to be among the Top 30 in the World Rankings and be invited to the World Tour Final at the end of the season.”
Car 130: i30 N TCR – Bailey Sweeny
“I can’t wait to get back to racing this weekend at Symmons Plains after a long summer break. With my first season behind me, I can take off the training wheels and it’s time to throw out the rookie badge.
“I learnt a lot last year and am proud of the progress I made, particularly in the second half of the season. I left Tassie last year in last place on the championship table and came back to finish the season in fifth overall. So, I would be disappointed if I’m not in the fight for the championship right from the start.”
