News
Bargwanna’s S5000 experience to help with future TCR title hopes
Ben Bargwanna is adamant that winning the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series remains his major focus, despite spending time plying his trade in other categories.
The young gun featured in the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship at the Shell V Power Motorsport Park on the weekend, finishing equal fifth for the round alongside Blake Purdie.
Remarkably, the round was Bargwanna’s first time at the South Australian circuit, with the added bonus of being in an S5000 making it an experience he will never forget.
See the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series at Sandown on 8-10 September – head to motorsporttickets.com.au to secure your place.
Despite running S5000s, something he has done with Garry Rogers Motorsport for the past two years, Bargwanna remains committed to TCR and his goal of one day winning the title in his Burson Auto Parts backed entry.
“I have done a bit of S5000 in the past and it’s always cool to get into them to be honest,” Bargwanna said.
“The weekend was pretty epic. It was my first time running at Tailem Bend, which I feel is one of the coolest tracks in Australia, and in the new control tyre, the cars were bloody fast.
“With that said, TCR is my focus and it always will be. I am not jumping ship or anything. I am committed to TCR especially with Garry Rogers Motorsport and Burson Auto Parts.
“I am all about keeping that relationship and the main reason I am doing S5000 is because it doesn’t clash with TCR and any laps are good laps in my eyes.”
“I do want to win the Australian TCR series, and there are still a few rounds to go, so anything can happen.”
With a TCR title on home soil is a short term goal, running in the S5000 Series is an exercise he believes can help him reach that goal.
“The S5000 cars really teach you to be a better driver in my eyes – in fact I have noticed that with my own driving,” Bargwanna added.
“Every time I get in the S5000, I learn something new – I guess because the cars are completely opposites, you learn things that can carry over into the TCR car.
“It also helps me learn how to adapt as a driver – they are all steps that I am taking towards one day securing the title and it’s definitely helping.”
Not only has Bargwanna’s time in the popular open wheeler helped shape him as a driver, but his time in the World TCR Tour earlier this year has also been integral in his development.
“The TCR Would Tour stint was an eye opener – the level of competition was something I have never seen before,” Bargwanna explained.
“And I learned even more with every lap that I did.
“I have had a taste of it, and to be a full time World TCR driver is the goal. That lights a fire and excites me to keep pushing towards winning the Australian title and one day competing overseas.
“I feel like with everything that I am doing, I am giving myself the best shot to improve as a driver and if I keep getting the results, then it’s definitely working.”
The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series’ next round will be part of the Shannons SpeedSeries event at Sandown Raceway on 8-10 September, while the Kumho TCR World Tour continues this weekend in Argentina.