Touring Car Masters confirmed for Repco Mt Panorama 500

The Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters series will now make two trips to Bathurst, New South Wales, this year.

The class for retro muscle cars from the 1960s to 1980s will contest the second round of its 2021 series at the Repco Mt Panorama 500 event, as the category joins the support program at the Repco Supercars Championship season opener on February 26-28. Tickets are on sale now.

It will mark the 13th visit by the Touring Car Masters grid to the iconic 6.213km circuit and, with Bathurst international set to host the season finale, will mean 2021 will be the first time TCM has tackled Mount Panorama twice in a season.

The news comes following a competitive opening round of the 2021 series contested across the Australia Day long weekend, one that saw John Bowe (Holden Torana) and Adam Garwood (Chevrolet Camaro) split the championship race victories.

Bowe leads the standings having won the final race of the Symmons Plains season opener having recorded his 100th TCM race victory in the process.

With 2020's Bathurst round a non-starter, the Repco Mt Panorama 500 will mark the Bathurst debut of both the VB Commodore in TCM Competition, as well as Steve Johnson's 'Tru Blu' XD Falcon.

Johnson finished third overall in Tasmania in what was just the second event for the car, one that replicates the iconic Falcon that helped his Bathurst-winning father Dick achieve national fame some 40 years ago.

A healthy and competitive field of cars are expected for the series' first mainland race of the year.

A full on-track schedule and TV broadcast information will be released shortly.

"We've been invited to compete with the opening round of the Supercars, which is fantastic," Bowe said.

"Any chance you get, it doesn't matter who you are or what you race, to race at Bathurst or to drive at Bathurst is a bonus. I'm sure all our category participants will be delighted that we have that opportunity.

"It's a beauty of a track, challenging and these old cars of ours are doing 290-something down the straight.

"It's a real challenge and we just love it. Good on Australian Racing Group for making it happen.

"TCM has generally been at Bathurst at the October event but I've raced there countless times.

"If there's three meetings a year I can run there, I will."

Paul Taylor - Category Manager, Touring Car Masters added: "It's always special to head to Bathurst, especially with the TCM grid that evokes so many racing memories from the long history of competition at that place.

"We're thrilled that TCM will be joining the Repco Mt Panorama 500 event.

"While this is a short notice change to our calendar, another opportunity to compete at Bathurst was an opportunity too good to pass up.

"Having just commenced our season in style in Tasmania, the TCM competitors are really looking forward to carrying that momentum forward by putting on some great races on the Mountain, especially since the category missed out last year."