Tufflift Racing has confirmed it will return to the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in 2024 with an upgraded two-car line up.
Privateer Zac Soutar will once again represent the team for the season, while Glenn Nirwan will join the ranks from Indonesia.
A successful driver in his home country, Nirwan’s motorsport background was heavily made up of rally before a switch to circuit racing at the start of 2023 saw him contesting the ITCR 3600 Max National Championship in an Audi RS3 LMS TCR car.
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Nirwan will be in familiar machinery for this year’s TCR Australia season, with the Indonesian to pilot the a Audi RS3 LMS TCR for this year, with the car having been driven by Will Brown last year.
“Driving in Australia has been my dream. I was surprised and honoured when Team Soutar Motorsport approached me at the end of last season to join forces,” Nirwan said.
“There is no target for this year, it’s more to get my feet wet. All the circuits here are new to me, so nothing too crazy. Will just keep my head straight, adapt as fast as I can, learn from my teammate, I’m very lucky to have Zac as my teammate. He is a very experienced driver, there is a lot I can learn from him, I’m sure.
“I used to live in Brisbane for 12 years, so this feels like coming back home to be honest.”
Melbourne Performance Centre will have the honour of running Nirwan’s Tufflift Racing Audi for next month’s Race Sandown, before Indonesia’s BRM Motorsport take over from round two onwards.
Tickets for Race Sandown are available to purchase from motorsporttickets.com.au
As for Soutar, the Victorian has enjoyed a stellar run since joining the series in 2021, having become the first privateer entry to win a race in the 2022 season, where he ultimately finished sixth overall.
Following a switch to Audi in 2023, Soutar racked up a handful of podium places and showcased the raw pace the car has and its potential, however the car proved unreliable at times, which resulted in the driver finishing 10th for the season.
Ahead of this year’s season opener, Soutar was excited about being part of Tufflift’s two car charge and having Nirwan as his teammate.
“I’m hugely excited not only to announce the continuation of Tufflift Hoist’s support of myself and my racing endeavours, but to also welcome Glenn Nirwan to the Tufflift Racing family,” Soutar said.
“It’s an absolute dream come true to be a part of a two-car team, and I can’t wait to get to Sandown and see two identical Tufflift Racing Audi’s lining up on the grid. It will definitely be a surreal moment for everyone involved.
“Glenn is definitely a very capable driver with a great motorsport history back home in Indonesia. I’m sure that we’re going to have a very successful year together whilst having a lot of fun. Let’s get after it.”
The 2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series season gets underway with the Shannons SpeedSeries’ first event of the year at Sandown International Raceway next month.
All seven rounds of TCR will be broadcast live and free via the Seven Network, with every race to form part of the jam-packed 7plus stream, while select races will be shown on free-to-air television.
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The Shannons SpeedSeries’ opening event for 2024, Race Sandown, takes place on 9-11 February.
