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New Audi arrives for Zac Soutar
Privateer Zac Soutar’s Christmas came in February following the arrival of his brand new Audi RS3 LMS TCR, the second Gen II version to arrive in the country.
Making the move from Honda to Audi, Soutar is aiming to move from consistent top 10 finisher to title contender in 2023 after achieving one race win and three podiums on the way to sixth place in the title.
Earlier this year, Soutar confirmed his family-run operation was purchasing an Audi RS3 LMS TCR for the upcoming season and long-time supporter Tufflift will take on the naming rights.
Last Wednesday, the new Audi arrived at the Tufflift Racing workshop in Geelong where preparations are rapidly underway to get the RS3 LMS TCR ready for AWC Race Tasmania.
“We went up to Gibson Freight in Melbourne and picked it up on Wednesday,” said Soutar.
“They pushed it out of the warehouse, we loaded into the truck and took it back to Geelong.
“This is the first ever time I’ve had a new race car, though I’ve only ever had two in the past, but to get something fresh is a bit of a culture shock, however it’s a welcome one.
“It’s still got that new car smell, which is awesome.”
Soutar is already eyeing the pre-season tyre test at Symmons Plains as a pseudo shakedown session where he can get accustomed to the new model.
“It’s going to take a bit to get used to,” he admitted. “As much as the Audi is well laid out, everything is in a different position, the way the launch control works is new, as is the way you scroll through the screen on the dash.
“It’s really well laid out, easy to find and bespoke, but it’s going to take my brain a bit to work out that’s for sure.
“The tyre test will be the only chance we get to drive the car before the race weekend.”
By the time the Audi appears at AWC Race Tasmania, it will have a new Tufflift Racing livery applied ensuring it won’t be hard to spot Soutar assured.
“It came with a beautiful Audi Sport livery on it, which looks great, but sadly I had to peel it off because the Tufflift Racing is being installed as we speak,” Soutar explained.
“It’s a gorgeous car. When we first picked it up at Gibson Freight we couldn’t believe what we were seeing, it’s just a really pretty piece of kit and everything about it is really well made.
“We can’t wait to go racing in it.”
Soutar will debut the new Audi at AWC Race Tasmania on February 24-26.
CLICK HERE for tickets.
All of the racing action can be seen live and ad-break free on Stan Sport, plus free-to-air coverage on 9GEM on Saturday, February 25 from 2-5pm.