Michael King to make long-awaited TCR Australia debut in Sydney
Privateer Hyundai driver Michael King will make his debut in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series at Sydney Motorsport Park next weekend.
After purchased the Hyundai i30 N TCR at the start of the 2020 season, his first official race is some 16 months in the making, having been forced to keep his maiden run on ice during 2020, and electing to miss the first three rounds of 2021.
With a number of test days under his belt, as well as some expert driver training at the renowned Norwell Motorplex, the former state-level Improved Production Car driver feels he is as ready as he can be for his touring car debut.
“Our expectation is just get in there and have a crack, and hopefully we get a reasonable result from it,” said King.
“It’s my home track. I’ve raced there for years in Improved Production and Production Touring Cars. We had success at that circuit in our (Mitsubishi) EVO, so we certainly know what way the track goes.
“I’ve done some testing of the TCR car at Sydney Motorsport Park too, just trying to get familiar with the car.
“But none of that is not going to give me a leg up in this category. There are some great drivers and teams, but you know, we’re going to have some fun and see where we fall fit in.”
One element that has King feeling extra confident was some recent testing, accompanied by the HMO Customer Racing team, Australia’s official Hyundai outfit.
King says that HMO’s assistance was invaluable to his development as a TCR driver.
“The guys at HMO came and helped out and they were absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“Nathan and a couple of their crew were there, and they were awesome. I got out of the car and for the first time, I felt like I could drive the car.
“The cars certainly require a different style to what I’m used to, and they really helped me get the most out of it. I can’t thank them enough for that.”
King and the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series drivers and teams will hit the track on Friday for two practice sessions, followed by qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday and two more races on Sunday.
The fourth round of the six round series is part of a bumper Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships event, with eight other categories on show at the Sydney venue.
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