The TCR Australia Series has announced its 2025 calendar, which will include three races on the support programme at Supercars events and a likely first appearance at Macau.
Having struggled to attract full grids in recent seasons, the series looks set for a total revamp in 2025 after a five-round calendar was announced with an international event to kick off the campaign.
TCR Australia will support the Taupo (New Zealand) Supercars event on 11-13 April, and will also feature at the Supercars events in Perth on 6-8 June and the 500km Supercars enduro at The Bend on 12-14 September.
The calendar ends with a yet-to-be-announced event in November, which like The Bend event will form part of the TCR World Tour. The only major event of that type is the TCR World Tour event that shares the Macau Grand Prix event.
The other event listed on the TCR calendar is scheduled for Winton in August.
“After sealing the deal to bring the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour back to Australia for the event at The Bend, we have looked into the possibility to further extend our friendly co-operation with TCR Australia,” WSC President Marcello Lotti said.
“We are delighted to announce that this has led to the addition of a second joint event in our respective calendars.
“We are also pleased with the co-operation TCR Australia has established with the Supercars Championship, as this will contribute to reinforce the popularity and visibility of TCR competition in the country.”
TCR Australia category manager Lisa Totani added: "We are delighted to join the Supercars Championship at three rounds in 2025 and welcome back the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour to the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, which is a clear favourite amongst teams and drivers.”
TCR Touring Cars have had a troubled time in Australia, limited to small grids and poor attendance and viewing figures. The series debuted in 2019 as a part of the Shannons National Series, before the 2020 series was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022 and ’23 series were televised after a late deal was struck with streaming platform Stan Sport, which saw viewing numbers reduced significantly and which drew criticism from fans and teams alike.
As a part of Supercars the category will be a part of the series' broadcast deal, which is shared between pay-TV operator Fox Sports, its OTT streaming service Kayo Sports and the free-to-air Seven network.