Josh Buchan switches back to the Elantra and gets grid penalty

Reigning TCR Australia champion Josh Buchan returns at the wheel of the car that delivered him last year’s title when the series resumes at The Bend this weekend.

Buchan was forced to start the season in HMO Customer Racing’s older-specification Hyundai i30 N after encountering a technical issue with Elantra N during preseason testing. The team elected to move him into the i30 to safeguard his title hopes through Sandown, Symmons Plains and Phillip Island, while new teammate Tom Oliphant moved into an older i30 as part of the shuffle.

With the problems now rectified, Buchan will return to the Elantra, while Oliphant moves into the i30 Buchan drove so far, including a race victory at Phillip Island.

“It’s exciting to be back behind the wheel of the Hyundai Elantra N,” Buchan said. “I have a great affinity for this car, and there’s a sticker on the dash in front of me reminding of the championship victory that I’ll be happy to see again.”

With they technically swapping engines amid the car swap, both Buchan and Oliphant will enter qualifying facing five-place grid penalties for the first race.

Picture: TCR Australia