The winner of next year’s TCR Australia Series will be given a wildcard start in either World TCR or another major international TCR event.

The carrot is one of two to be added for the second season of the touring car series, with the Michelin Rookie of the Year to receive a test drive day with a European TCR team next year.

To be eligible for the latter carrot, drivers must be contesting their first full major national series and compete in all seven TCR Australia rounds, with the highest points scorer among those to be classified the Michelin Rookie of the Year.

The overall series winner gets the WTCR start or a wildcard entry in another ‘international TCR race of significance’, meaning that they could receive the prize between the final points-paying TCR Australia round at Sandown and the new international TCR race at Bathurst.

“This is another significant announcement for TCR Australia, its drivers and teams,” said Matt Braid, the Director of the Australian Racing Group, which promotes TCR Australia.

“Both the wildcard prize for the series champion, and the rookie test prize, continues to underline the global relevance of TCR Australia by offering drivers of all experience and calibres the opportunity to progress their careers in identical machinery on the world stage.

“The 2020 season is shaping up really well. There are more cars arriving, more teams interested in competing and an unprecedented amount of drivers keen to race in the series.

“Prizes like these that demonstrate the international opportunities the TCR category provides are likely to spark even more interest.”

This year’s TCR Australia series winner, Will Brown, has already expressed an interest in undertaking WTCR starts next year and endorsed the prize which is now formally on offer.

“I thought that this year’s cash prize was great, but the chance to race against the world’s best touring car drivers is unbelievable,” said Brown.

“I’d really love the chance to race overseas in a WTCR race, or an international TCR event. I’ve watched the racing and the level of competition is high. It would be great to test yourself against them.

“TCR Australia has been such an enjoyable season. The competition has been strong and the racing fantastic. To be crowned the first champion is great and I’m really looking forward to the final round at The Bend, wrapping it all up and celebrating with the team.

“At this stage, I’m not exactly sure what I’m racing next year, however, if there’s the right opportunity, I will definitely do TCR again and I’ll definitely be fighting as hard as I can to win the title.”

The 2020 TCR Australia calendar, featuring seven rounds for series points and marquee events at Albert Park and Bathurst, was released last week.

The current season concludes at The Bend on November 15-17.