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Blake Knowles to Make TCR Australia Debut in Bathurst
New Zealand Formula Ford Champion Blake Knowles will make his Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series debut this weekend at the season-ending Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.
Knowles will be the second kiwi to tackle TCR Australia in 2024, and like Ben Stewart, his opportunity comes at the wheel of Marcus LaDelle’s 99motorsport Audi RS3 LMS SEQ.
The 18-year-old has amassed multiple class wins driving both a Hyundai and an Audi TCR in New Zealand’s Endurance championships. His credentials are further enhanced by his recent triumph in Formula Ford and a sweep of the V8Sleuth Heritage Revival weekend at the Bathurst 1000.
There will be two new cars on the grid in Bathurst, with the Team Valvoline GRM duo of Aaron Cameron and Ryan Casha both making the switch to the new Peugeot P51 308 TCR.
The latest offering in global TCR competition hit the track in winning fashion at the hands of teammates Jordan Cox and Ben Bargwanna last time out in Sydney. All four GRM drivers will campaign the latest generation Peugeot TCR for the final round of the season.
With 141 points up for grabs, there are still seven drivers in mathematical contention for the 2024 TCR Australia title. Reigning champion Josh Buchan is 36 points clear at the top of the table and is looking to become the first multiple time champion in the series, driving for HMO Customer Racing.
Tufflift Racing’s Zac Soutar is second in the title race, having ceded the series lead after an opening lap crash in Race 2 at Sydney Motorsport Park. Should the leading duo falter, Wall Racing and Exclusive Switchboards’ Brad Harris sits third in the points and 61 points behind Buchan in what has been a breakout season for the electrician by trade.
Bargwanna, Cox, Ryan Casha and Dylan O’Keeffe all remain a theoretical chance of stealing the season glory.
All three races will be live on 7+, with Race 1 on Saturday and Race 3 on Sunday live and free on 7mate.
All Bathurst International ticket holders will be able to take part in a free grid walk prior to the final race of the season, at 1:45pm on Sunday.
The weekend commences with the circuit to city on Thursday afternoon, where fans will be able to get a close up look at the cars and stars of TCR Australia.
Quotes
Blake Knowles – 99motorsport / Pacific Fuel Solutions Audi RS3 LMS SEQ
“I’ve absolutely always followed along with TCR Australia, when I did the Highlands 6 Hour it was with Clay Richards, so I was watching his progress earlier in the year and it’s something that’s always been on my radar,” said Knowles.
“The historic stuff was more about the cars than the racing, so getting to go around Bathurst and actually have a crack will be pretty cool. Having a rough idea of what the track’s like will help.
“Some of those drivers in the TCR field are insanely quick, so I’m just going to give it the best crack I can and hopefully we can be fighting within the pack.
“The goal is to try and do a championship in Australia eventually, and TCR is one we’ve always watched so that would be the dream if we could make 2025 happen,” concluded Knowles.