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Brad Harris: The Grassroots Racer Turned TCR Title Contender
Brad Harris’ rise up the ranks in Supercheap Auto TCR Australia has been one of almost meteoric calibre, and now the Sydney-based Business Director by day is in the fight to claim a maiden touring car title.
Just 14 months ago TCR Australia welcomed the Harris family into the paddock, as Brad Harris made his debut at Phillip Island in his Exclusive Switchboards / Wall Racing Honda Civic FK7 TCR. That maiden weekend was an early indicator to Harris’ abilities, as he confidently raced his way to a top five finish in Race 2 of the weekend.
Jump forward two more rounds, and Harris was etching his name into the record books with a commanding victory at Queensland Raceway. The maiden win came in the face of race long pressure from TCR stalwart Aaron Cameron and 2019 champion Will Brown.
“Once I got a handle on the car it was good, you just had to learn the ins and outs of it at first,” said Harris.
“I’m a businessman during the week and I’m turning up on the weekend to play race cars. It’s really cool to be in the mix with these guys who are all professional drivers, and the amount of seat time they have throughout the year.”
With the addition of twin brother Will Harris to the field at Sydney Motorsport Park, the Wall Racing stable grew to three and Brad went toe to toe against the world’s best touring car racers as part of the FIA Kumho TCR World Tour in Sydney and Bathurst.
Only continuing to climb his way up the pecking order, Harris made a game changing move for 2024 into the latest spec racer from the Honda line-up in the Honda Civic FL5 TCR.
“It’s awesome having TD (D’Alberto) around. At the start of the weekend we go in with a very similar setup, and it might change a little bit over the weekend depending on our driving styles and how we adapt to the car moving around,” said Harris.
“He’s a pretty good steerer so it’s a perfect thing data-wise and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
A consistent run across the first five rounds of the season, including two race wins and six top five finishes, has positioned Harris as a firm contender for the 2024 TCR Australia Series crown.
Now with two rounds still to play out in 2024 Harris finds himself fourth in what’s shaping up as a remarkable seven-way title fight, and only a slender 66 points adrift of the series lead.
“It’s pretty much a case of continuing what we’ve been doing. I’ve done a million laps around Sydney, it’s my home track and I’ve spent a lot of time there. Now being more comfortable with the car as well, hopefully we can put two and two together.
“I just wish I’d been able to start the year a bit stronger, we would have been right there with Zac (Soutar) and Josh (Buchan) in the standings.
“The new Honda seems a lot more streamlined and stronger in a straight line, compared to the older model which wasn’t so good at Bathurst down the straights. Just going off the results for Tony there last year, we should be strong at Bathurst.
“I said at the start of the year if I can be in the top five, I’d be happy. Now if we can get a podium, finish in the top three, I’d be over the moon and I think it’s certainly achievable,” concluded Harris.
With 288 points still up for grabs there’s every chance that Harris can join the illustrious list of TCR Australia Champions, a list that’s currently made up of Brown, Chaz Mostert, Tony D’Alberto and Josh Buchan.
Round six of the 2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series takes place as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries’ Race Sydney from October 18-20.