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TOURING CAR MASTERS TITLE TO BE DECIDED AT BATHURST
THE Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series will be decided at Mount Panorama at this year’s Bathurst 1000.
Despite the fact the 2021 series will only comprise four rounds, down from an originally scheduled six, TCM Category Management and Motorsport Australia have confirmed that the various outright series and class titles will still be awarded following the Bathurst event this December.
16 races will count towards the 2021 standings by the end of the season.
The news of a definitive conclusion to the championship comes following the cancellation of the 2020 series with just one round completed.
Three rounds, at Symmons Plains, Mount Panorama and Sydney Motorsport Park, respectively, featuring 12 races in total have been held so far this year in what has been one of the most competitive TCM title battles in recent memory.
The three rounds have been won by three different drivers, with eight different drivers having won races so far this year.
With 200 points available at Mount Panorama ten drivers remain in mathematical calculations for the outright Touring Car Masters title, while ProMasters, ProAm and ProSports battles also remain wide open.
John Bowe leads the championship by just 10 points over Ryan Hansford, while Marcus Zukanovic sits third – though is tied on points with Cameron Tilley. They trail the leader by 47 points; equivalent to one fourth-place finish.
Three-time and defending champion Steven Johnson, who has spent more than 1300 days on top of the TCM leaderboard since claiming his first title in 2017, is a further 11 points further behind in fifth.
The massive six-day Bathurst 1000 event will be held between November 30 – December 5 and will include four TCM races throughout the course of the event.
Liam Curkpatrick – TCM Category Manager
“It’s great to have some certainty in uncertain times when it comes to finalizing the championship,” Curkpatrick said.
“TCM was fortunate to get three very competitive rounds in at the start of the year which means we’ve had 12 races towards the championship so far.
“It’s a meaningful number and once Bathurst is complete there will be four more to add to that list.
“Four rounds is a short championship, but it is enough racing to ensure that the winners will have absolutely earned their trophies.
“Interest in the Bathurst event has been strong and we’re looking forward to completing the TCM season in style this December.”