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Field set for TCM Tasmania racing return
A field filled with potential race winners will tackle the opening round of the 2021 Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters series at Symmons Plains, as the category returns to racing after an eleven-month break.
The series for classic Muscle Cars will tackle four races across the three-day Boost Mobile Race Tasmania event that starts this Sunday (24 January).
The grid includes the two most successful drivers in series history – John Bowe and Steven Johnson – plus six other drivers who have won TCM races, a host of others ready to make their mark and several local heroes looking to impress in front of local supporters.
Long time family friends and former teammates Bowe and Johnson are now arch-rivals in TCM.
Johnson, who will race his ‘Tru Blu Mark II’ XD Ford Falcon for just the second time, has won the last three titles while Bowe, who returns in his venerable Holden Torana SL/R 5000, sits one win away from a remarkable century of race victories to go with his record five TCM crowns.
Both are likely to resume their competitive battle at the pointy end of the pack that has seen them finish first and second in 30 TCM races since Johnson’s debut in 2016.
While Bowe has prior experience at Symmons Plains aboard his Torana, the Race Tasmania event will mark just the second ever event for Johnson’s Falcon following a lengthy build process prior to its 2020 debut.
Popular Queenslander Ryan Hansford returns for a title tilt aboard his Multispares Racing Holden Torana, having won the last two TCM races contested in February last year. Hansford also qualified on pole the last time TCM raced.
Perennial frontrunners Whiteline Racing return with their pair of Chevrolet Camaro entries, one each for the returning Mark King and local ace Adam Garwood, while Victorian Gerard McLeod will make his second TCM round start aboard his VB Commodore.
The first Commodore to race in the series, like Johnson’s Falcon the VB Holden made its debut in Adelaide last February following a chance of category regulations that allowed later-model cars to race.
The second-generation racer – the son of 1987 Bathurst 1000 champion Peter – has professed the car ready to race following a positive pre-event test.
The diverse field includes representation from Ford, Chevrolet, Holden and Chrysler / Valliant.
Bowe’s quest for 100 victories won’t be the only milestone in the offing this weekend, as two popular TCM competitors will notch up personal career milestones this weekend should all go to plan.
Cameron Tilley (Valliant Pacer) is set to start his 200th race, while Andrew Fisher (Falcon GTHO) will notch up his 100th.
As well as local legend Bowe, the TCM grid includes two home-town heroes in the Launceston-based father and son combination of Greg and Adam Garwood.
Three-time TCM winner Adam lines up with Whiteline Racing for a full-season campaign aboard a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS, while Greg will pilot his unique V8-powered Ford Capri that is a proven frontrunner.
Other notable entrants include Marcus Zukanovic (XD Falcon) and two-time TCM class champion Jim Pollicina (Holden Torana).
Unfortunately, title contender Ryal Harris will miss the Symmons Plains event after shipping delays saw engine parts fail to arrive from the United States in time to complete the EFS 4×4 Racing Camaro’s engine rebuild. The Queenslander has committed to return for the second round of the championship.
The Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters field will tackle four races across the Boost Mobile Race Tasmania weekend.
After Practice and Qualifying on Sunday, racing commences with the mixed-grid TCM Trophy Race on Monday, followed the first race of the championship proper that afternoon.
Two further races will complete the first of six 2021 rounds on Australia day with coverage of every race will be available on the screens of Seven.
The trophy race will be shown live on 7plus, while the three championship races will all be broadcast live and free on 7mate.
CLICK HERE for Race Tasmania tickets.
CLICK HERE for the Symmons Plains racing schedule.
Entry List – Round 1, 2021 Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series
| Car # | SPONSOR | DRIVER | STATE | CLASS | VEHICLE | COLOUR | ||
| 2 | Giraffe Civil Contracting | Greg | Garwood | TAS | INV | Ford | Capri Perana | Blue |
| 6 | Multispares Racing | Ryan | Hansford | QLD | PA | Holden | Torana A9X | Yellow/Blue |
| 7 | MOCOMM Motorsport Communications | Jim | Pollicina | NSW | PM | Holden | Torana A9X | White/Black/Red |
| 9 | Jesus Racing | Andrew | Fisher | NSW | PA | Ford | Falcon XY GT HO | Red |
| 12 | The Lighthouse Hotel – Burnett Heads | Peter | Burnitt | QLD | PS | Holden | Torana A9X | Black |
| 17 | Full Throttle Custom Garage / Kubota | Steve | Johnson | QLD | PM | Ford | XD Falcon | Tru Blue |
| 18 | PAYNTER DIXON / Payce | John | Bowe | VIC | PM | Holden | Torana SL/R 5000 | Black/White |
| 25 | Vawdrey Trailers / Castrol | Paul | Freestone | VIC | PA | Chevrolet | Camaro | Maroon |
| 50 | Motorsport Parts Australia | Gerard | McLeod | VIC | PA | Holden | VB Commodore | White/Blue/Red |
| 60 | ANGLOMOIL Lubricants | Cameron | Tilley | NSW | PA | Valiant | Pacer | Blue |
| 71 | Action Motor Industries | Marcus | Zukanovic | VIC | PM | Ford | Falcon XD | White/Blue |
| 85 | Whiteline Racing / Giraffe Civil Contracting | Adam | Garwood | TAS | PA | Chevrolet | Camaro RS | Yellow |
| 88 | TIFS – Third Party Logistics | Tony | Karanfilovski | NSW | PA | Ford | Mustang Trans Am | Orange |
| 95 | Whiteline Racing | Mark | King | NSW | PM | Chevrolet | Camaro SS | Yellow |