Rullo joins Kelly Racing for TCR Australia bid

Kelly Racing has added Alex Rullo to its driver roster for the inaugural TCR Australia Series campaign.

The touring car young gun will drive one of the Braeside outfit’s two Opel Astras which have been recently acquired from German squad Lubner Motorsport.

Rullo is the second driver confirmed at Kelly Racing, joining Molly Taylor, who will drive one of two Subaru WRX STIs to be prepared by the operation. 

The 18-year-old West Australian has ample of experience despite his tender years having raced in Super3 and Super2 before graduating to Supercars with the now defunct Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in 2017.

Last year he contested the Super2 Series in addition to a Pirtek Enduro Cup drive alongside Simona De Silvestro at Kelly Racing, a deal which is expected to continue this year.  

A decision to race TCR Australia full-time this year follows after testing an Astra for British Touring Car Championship squad Power Maxed Racing in 2017.

Rullo will jump behind the wheel of his new Astra during a TCR Australia test at Winton on Monday.  

“It’s great to be continuing my relationship with Kelly Racing in the new TCR Australia Series driving the new Astra,” said Rullo.

“I think it’s going to be a really exciting and promising series. The free-to-air deal with SBS will give the series a lot of public interest.

“The cars are terrific. The cars just landed and I‘m looking forward to driving the Astra at Winton on Monday. I drove a British Touring Car Astra in the UK recently. These are similar to the TCR cars, and that was a heap of fun.

“My expectation is to be competitive. The driver and team line-up looks really strong, but it’s a new series, new cars and everyone is new to it so there are a lot of unknowns. 

“Kelly Racing is a great team though, so I feel we are going to be at the top and really looking forward to being a part of it.”

Team owner Todd Kelly believes his young charge has potential and will be competitive from the outset. 

“We really enjoyed our relationship with Alex last year and we are glad to be able to keep him in our stables in the Astra TCR car,” said Todd Kelly.

“For a young kid, he is very mature behind the wheel and has a lot of potential. 

“These cars are going to suit him and the experienced field of drivers will be a good test.

“We are very confident that he will be competitive and we can’t wait to get the car out on track at Winton on Monday and get a good feel for it all.”

Rullo is the 10th driver to join the grid for the opening TCR Australia round at Sydney Motorsport Park from May 17-19. 

Entry list: Round 1, Sydney Motorsport Park