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HMO Customer Racing reveal 2023 racing program
HMO Customer Racing team leader Josh Buchan is ready to take the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series title in 2023 after the new striking livery for his Hyundai Elantra N TCR (i30 N Sedan) was revealed featuring significant support from the Australian arm of the Korean car company.
The Sydney-based squad enters the 2023 season with a streamlined two-car entry of Buchan and reigning Rookie of the Year winner Bailey Sweeny, who will once again drive the squad’s successful i30 N TCR.
The livery Buchan will carry on his Hyundai takes inspiration from the marque’s international racing activities.
“Motorsport has been part of Hyundai N’s DNA even before we launched an N road car. From 2014 in the World Rally Championship, then from 2018 in world TCR, we have been competing and winning at the highest levels,” said Ted Lee, Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer.
“Our new project with HMO and Josh Buchan in Australia is an exciting new chapter in our high-performance story. We wish him well.”
Buchan finished third in last year’s title, successfully debuting the latest specification Hyundai at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International. It capped off a strong run in a HMO Customer Racing Hyundai i30 N TCR as he scored pole position and victory in the first night race for the category at Sydney Motorsport Park, as the operation won the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Team’s title.
“The car looks amazing with its striking new livery and I’m very proud to have the support of Hyundai Australia for the 2023 TCR Australia Championship,” said Buchan.
“There is no doubt we have lifted the bar in terms of presentation this year, and now it is up to me and the team to elevate the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR to the position it deserves – at the front of the pack.”
Sweeny was a standout during the 2022 season where he took two wins split between the two Bathurst rounds and he is aiming to further build in his sophomore season.
“I can’t wait to get back to racing this weekend at Symmons Plains after a long summer break,” said Sweeny.
“With my first season behind me, I can take off the training wheels and it’s time to throw out the rookie badge.
“I learnt a lot last year and am proud of the progress I made, particularly in the second half of the season. I left Tassie last year in last place on the championship table and came back to finish the season in fifth overall. So, I would be disappointed if I’m not in the fight for the championship right from the start.”
Buchan will drive Hyundai’s WTCR winning model and is excited by the prospect of competing in two TCR World Tour events locally in 2023, with the 28-year-old placed within the top 30 drivers globally according to the TCR World Rankings.
“It has always been a dream of mine to compete in a world championship, which will be fulfilled this year with two rounds of the new TCR World Tour in Australia,” Buchan revealed.
“It will be very special to race against the world’s best touring car drivers on our home turf. And hopefully we can do enough throughout the year to be among the Top 30 in the World Rankings and be invited to the World Tour Final at the end of the season.”
The HMO Customer Racing duo will begin their attack on the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia title this weekend at AWC Race Tasmania.
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.