Lachlan Mineeff has acquired a Volkswagen Golf GTI to compete in his maiden Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series season.

The 18-year-old will contest the remaining five rounds in 2021, beginning with his debut at Phillip Island on March 12-14.

His Golf GTI was last in action, albeit briefly, at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix with Alexandra Whitley behind the wheel.

Mineeff enters TCR on the back of two seasons in the Australian Formula Ford Championship, finishing fifth on both occasions.

“I’ve been looking to go TCR racing since it first came to Australia in 2019, and I can’t wait to get to Phillip Island,” said Mineeff, who will run the #14.

“I was there at the first TCR event at Sydney Motorsport Park, and from there I’ve been working on ways to get into the class. I’m stoked that we’ve finally pieced it all together.

“The reason I chose to go with the Volkswagen is because they are a very competitive car… in the hands of Aaron Cameron and Jason Bright, they won races, took a pole position and finished with a heap of podiums, so they are certainly capable of running up the front.

“For me, TCR is a relevant platform for both manufacturers and sponsors. Coming out of Formula Ford and Production Car racing, it is the next step up the ladder and the best value for money category. It made the most sense.”

The ability to mix it with Supercars race winners including Lee Holdsworth, Michael Caruso and James Moffat has the New South Welshman pumped.

“The competition, and the various brands in the category was also very appealing,” Mineeff added.

“Going up against some current and ex-Supercars drivers is a great test for me, and having all of the races live and free on the Seven Network makes this class the perfect place for me.

“I love the Phillip Island circuit. I’ve done two Formula Ford rounds there before. It’s a special place for me to make my TCR debut.

“I won’t be able to fit in any testing, but I’ve had decent results at Phillip Island before, so I’ll take as much of my experience as I can from my past racing and use it as best I can next weekend.”

Melbourne Performance Centre will provide technical and logistics support to Mineeff’s privateer team at Phillip Island.

Mineeff in 2019 was part of the youngest ever driver combination to finish an endurance race at Mount Panorama, teaming up with Tom Sargent to navigate the Bathurst 6 Hour in a Toyota 86 car.