MINEEFF BREAKS THROUGH FOR MAIDEN TCR PODIUM

February 28, 2023
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MEDIA RELEASE/Lachlan Mineeff Motorsport – Photos: Velocity Magazine

Southern Highlands racer Lachlan Mineeff has broken through for his maiden podium finish in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, also finishing as the highest-placed Audi driver in the season opener at Race Tasmania over the weekend.

After qualifying 11^th, Mineeff elevated his LIQUI MOLY Audi RS3 to ninth in the first race.

The inverted top 10 grid format saw Mineeff lining up second for Race 2, and a rapid start elevated him to the lead by Turn 1.

Mineeff led the opening 11 laps and while he was eventually overtaken by Aaron Cameron, he was elated to break through for his maiden podium finish.

Starting sixth on the grid for the third and final race, Mineeff spent the entire race in a multi-car battle, ultimately bringing the LIQUI MOLY RS3 home in seventh position to round out his best-ever weekend in the category, finishing sixth overall.

“We struggled for a bit of pace at the start of the weekend, but we made some smart decisions in the races which enabled us to come away with a healthy points haul,” Mineeff said.

2023 RACE TASMANIA GALLERY – HERE

“In Race 1, it was important to finish inside the top 10 to take advantage of the inversion, which we were able to do, and once we had clean air in Race 2, our speed was strong.

“I had a good battle with Aaron (Cameron) – we swapped places a couple of times and showed a lot of respect for each other. Finishing second in that race was clearly the highlight of the weekend.

“In Race 3, I was in a close pack of cars which made it hard to overtake, because the heat coming from the other cars caused the engine and brakes to become very warm, so I just focused on bringing it home for a solid finish.”

Mineeff said he enjoyed the experience of working with the Melbourne Performance Centre team.

“MPC is a professional, well-resourced outfit, so I learned a lot by working with their crew,” he said.

“It was a shame Will Brown in the other MPC car had such a tough weekend, but I ended up flying the flag for LIQUI MOLY, which was satisfying.”

Mineeff is looking forward to returning to his Purple Sector team for upcoming TCR rounds, which he expects to play to the Audi’s strengths.

“The next two TCR rounds are at Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park – they’re very aero-dependent circuits which will suit the Audi,” he said.

“A massive thank you to LIQUI MOLY, along with Otis Kiama, Southern Cross Truck Rentals, Vagparts Australia, National Truck Wholesalers, Equipment Dynamics, Midcoast Trucks, MJS Electrical, Jackson Motor Company and Forza Brakes for making the Tasmania weekend possible.”

The second round of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia will be held at Phillip Island, 12-14 May.

TCR Australia Round 1 results
Qualifying: 11^th
Race 1: 9^th
Race 2: 2^nd
Race 3: 7^th
Overall: 6^th

TCR Australia – points after Round 1
1. Bailey Sweeny – 137
2. Tony D’Alberto – 123
3. Aaron Cameron – 119
4. Jordan Cox – 118
5. Tom Oliphant – 108
6. Lachlan Mineeff – 104
7. Kody Garland – 102
8. Josh Buchan – 92
9. Michael Clemente – 90
10. Iain McDougall – 80

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