Paul Sheard Racing are back for the 2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship, where the team have committed to two full-season entries, running two ex-WTCR Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2 cars for former Ginetta GT4 Supercup drivers Joe Marshall and Garry Townsend.
This will be the first time that the Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2 cars will compete in the championship, having already seen success in series such as TCR Europe and the FIA World Touring Car Cup – WTCR under the guidance of the Belgian Comtoyou Racing squad.
Having made two wild card appearances last year at Donington Park and the Snetterton finale with their 2022 British Endurance Championship drivers George Heler and Jonathan Beeson, the team returns for a full season campaign in 2023.
Witnessing the growth of the TCR UK Touring Car Championship first-hand in 2022, Paul Sheard Racing has worked hard to get the cars to the UK Championship as it grows further for 2023.
“After the two entries we had at Donington Park with George Heler and at Snetterton with Jonathon Beeson, its clear to us that we should be a part of the championship full time and 2023 is the first part of that journey for the team,” explained Race Engineer Peppe Planeta.
“With the level of TCR competition growing on a global scale, we are proud to bring the Audi Generation II TCR model to TCR UK. In order to fight for the title, we need to be in the best cars possible and aim to hit the ground running with both Joe Marshall and Garry Townsend.”
“We do have a third Audi waiting in the wings and we are looking to bring that car into the championship with the right driver combination. The team are currently taking enquiries.”
Former Ginetta GT4 Supercup driver Joe Marshall is excited to be making the move to TCR UK with the team, having raced for them in previous seasons.
“I’m really pleased to announce that I have finalised a deal with Paul Sheard Racing ahead of the 2023 TCR UK season. It’s like a blast from the past as I started my racing career in Mazda’s with Paul back in 2018 with some great results,” said Joe.
“I’m confident we can carry that successful partnership forward into TCR UK – the Audi is a phenomenal car and has proved its worth abroad already. I can’t wait to get started!”
Garry Townsend is delighted to be a part of the team after recently testing his Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2.
“I’ve raced for the last 37 years without missing a season and I can say that after trying the Audi in testing, I’m very excited for what 2023 will bring. I was impressed with the level of grip in the car and how easy I was able to adjust to it,” said Garry.
“Touring Cars was always the aim and after spending many years trying, I’m finally able to go racing in a touring car at a time when TCR UK is on the up. It’s an exciting time to join the championship.”
