News
Lachlan Mineeff confirms Audi switch
Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series privateer Lachlan Mineeff has confirmed a switch from Volkswagen to Audi prior to Round 5 at Queensland Raceway.
Together with team Purple Sector, Mineeff has announced the acquisition of the ex-Liam McAdam Audi RS3 LMS TCR to replace the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR he has driven since debuting in the class at Phillip Island last year.
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This particular chassis enjoys a successful history having achieved Audi’s first win in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia at The Bend Motorsport Park in the hands of Garth Tander, before Jean-Karl Vernay achieved pole position and race victory at Queensland Raceway.
McAdam debuted in the Audi at the Sandown round of 2019 and has since raced at five rounds, the last being Phillip Island earlier this year where he qualified a stunning fourth.
Mineeff welcomes Forza Motorsport Brakes as a major partner for the remainder of the season, joining VAG Parts Australia, Equipment Dynamics, AutoInstruct and Eibach Australia.
Purple Sector will retain its Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR and hope to lease it out to a driver wanting to sample Supercheap Auto TCR Australia competition. Mineeff highlighted its handling and reliability for providing the perfect entrance into the highly competitive category.
A test day is planned for Mineeff in his Audi prior to Round 5 of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series at Queensland Raceway on August 5-7.
QUOTES
Lachlan Mineeff
Purple Sector/Forza Brakes Motorsport Audi RS3 LMS TCR
“We’re just really excited to be able to have a proper crack at TCR in a model that is very capable of winning races and that’s what we’re setting out to achieve,” Said Mineeff.
“I don’t think we’ll be winning straight away, but if we can have the progression of being top 10, top five, podium, then number one, that’s the idea and continue to move forward.
“The Audis historically in TCR Australia have done really well, they had many wins during the inaugural season including this very car in the hands of Jean Karl Vernay at Queensland Raceway.
“Vernay was able to achieve pole and win the first race, but also when you reflect on what Chaz (last year’s winner Chaz Mostert) was able to do last year during the series, which gives us pretty good confidence with what we might be able to do with this Audi.
“It is the very top spec it can be for this generation, so we’re obviously very excited to sink our teeth into it. There are definitely a lot of common parts and similarities shared with the Golf, so I think it will be great for the team as well as myself to be able to quickly transition between the two.
“I haven’t driven the car yet. I’ve just loaded on and taken it off the truck! We’ll definitely get a test day in either way before Queensland Raceway, which will be really good.
“We still own the Golf and I think it would be great to continue to run it as a customer entry at rounds this year. Last year, we were able to show with a new team and rookie driver we’ve been able to get some really good results.
“If we can find a customer who wants to experience TCR for the first time and gets some laps under their belt, the Golf is perfect. In 21 races, we’ve only had one DNF, which is a credit to the car and team.
“It’s reliable and a great way of getting some laps under your belt.
“Purple Sector and myself have been very committed to TCR, but acquiring the Audi is a nice refresh, so I can’t wait to prove its pace when we return at Queensland Raceway next month.”