Mount Panorama, Bathurst: HMO Customer Racing has scored two double podiums in a dramatic final round of the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Championship at Mount Panorama in the Bathurst International.
Rookie sensation Bailey Sweeny proved to be the new Prince of Panorama, starting where he left off earlier this year when he scored his breakthrough maiden race victory during the third round of the championship. The 19-year old dominated both practice sessions, secured a front row start in qualifying, and finished first and second to claim his first TCR Australia overall round victory.
In the opening 50-minute race, Sweeny won the holeshot and went on to score a lights to flag victory with team mate Nathan Morcom clawing through from his fourth-placed starting position to claim third.
Josh Buchan, meanwhile, gave the latest-generation Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR an ignominious debut when it stalled on the startline following an issue with the launch control system. He kept his title aspirations alive, however, with a storming drive back through the field to cross the finish line in 11th and was later elevated to ninth in the classified results after a series of post-race penalties were issued.
That provided a massive opportunity for Buchan to make a serious dent in the championship leader’s advantage with a front-row start in the second race, which reverses the top 10. Unfortunately, the second race was red-flagged after one lap behind the safety car and later cancelled due to inclement weather conditions and visibility issues across the top of the mountain.
It set-up a thrilling championship finale, with Sweeny starting from pole position, Morcom in third and Buchan in ninth. Sweeny again got a fast start and lead into the first corner but was subsequently boxed out into Griffins Bend and dropped to fourth behind Morcom.
In a frantic battle for the lead a few laps later, Morcom sustained damage to his Hyundai i30 N TCR and was forced to nurse his car home to sixth place.
Sweeny again proved to be quickest driver with the fastest lap of the race and recovered to steal the lead shortly after a mid-race safety car period, only to make a mistake with his brake balance adjustment on the final lap and crossed the finish line in second, which was enough to score the overall round win.
Buchan showcased the speed of the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR with a measured and masterful drive through the field to join Sweeny on the podium in third.
The results elevated all three drivers in the championship standings, with Buchan taking a brilliant third place, while Sweeny finished as the best placed rookie in fifth and Morcom climbed to sixth.
What the drivers said:
Car 11 – Nathan Morcom
“We showed great pace this weekend at Bathurst, and it was fantastic to score a podium in the opening race. We were on for a win in the last race there, and I went for a move but, unfortunately, we both moved over at the same time and touched, and from there I just had to salvage what we could with the damage to the car. Overall, it has been a great weekend for the team and finishing sixth in the championship is a positive.”
Practice 1: P5 – 2:14.0219sec
Practice 2: P5 – 2:13.6007sec
Qualifying: P4 – 2:13.3726sec
Race 1: P3 – 2:15.0sec
Race 2: Cancelled
Race 3: P6 – 2:15.1300
Car 30 – Josh Buchan
“It’s been a successful debut for the new Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR, as we were in the top five all weekend in terms of speed. A bit of an error at the start of race one cost us a lot this weekend, and then missing out race two put an end to our championship hopes. Nonetheless, finishing third in the final race was a great boost for the team, which did an excellent job, and gives us a great understanding of the car and a head start into the 2023 Championship.”
Practice 1: P3 – 2:13.9040sec
Practice 2: P4 – 2:13.4340sec
Qualifying: P5 – 2:13.6139sec
Race 1: P9 – 2:15.4sec
Race 2: Cancelled
Race 3: P3 – 2:14.8198sec
Car 130 – Bailey Sweeny
“Bathurst has been a brilliant track for us all year, and we showed again that we have the fastest car – even with a bit of success ballast. I nearly got a clean sweep of the weekend, until I made a small mistake on the last lap of the final race. I’m a bit disappointed in myself, but it’s all learning for next year. There were plenty of positives for us; finishing fifth in the championship as rookie of the year, with race wins and podiums in our maiden season. Even though our season has only just finished, I’m already looking forward to having a real crack in 2023.”
Practice 1: P1 – 2:13.6704sec
Practice 2: P1 – 2:12.9560sec
Qualifying: P2 – 2:126032sec
Race 1: P1 – 2:14.3sec
Race 2: Cancelled
Race 3: P2 – 2:14.7054sec
2022 TCR Australia Championship Standings – after Round 7, Bathurst International
| 1. | Tony D’Alberto | Honda Civic Type R | 704 |
| 2. | Will Brown | Audi RS3 LMS | 702 |
| 3. | Josh Buchan | Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR | 667 |
| 4. | Jordan Cox | Peugeot 308 TCR | 648 |
| 5. | Bailey Sweeny | Hyundai i30 N TCR | 610 |
| 6. | Nathan Morcom | Hyundai i30 N TCR | 582 |
| 7. | Aaron Cameron | Peugeot 308 TCR | 579 |
| 8. | Dylan O’Keefe | Peugeot 308 TCR | 577 |
| 9. | Zac Soutar | Honda Civic Type R | 565 |
| 10. | Jay Hanson | Audi RS3 LMS | 535 |