TOURING Car Masters have been confirmed as a support category for this month's upcoming Bathurst 500 at Mount Panorama.
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The class for retro muscle cars from the 1960s to 1980s will contest the second round of its 2021 series at the Mount Panorama 500 event over February 26-28.
It will mark the 13th visit by the Touring Car Masters grid to the iconic circuit and, with the Bathurst International set to host the season finale, it will mean 2021 will be the first time TCM has tackled Mount Panorama twice in a season.
The news comes following a competitive opening round of the 2021 series contested across the Australia Day long weekend, one that saw John Bowe (Holden Torana) and Adam Garwood (Chevrolet Camaro) split the championship race victories.
Bowe leads the standings having won the final race of the Symmons Plains season opener having recorded his 100th TCM race victory in the process.
With 2020's Bathurst round a non-starter, the Repco Mount Panorama 500 will mark the Bathurst debut of both the VB Commodore in TCM Competition, as well as Steve Johnson's 'Tru Blu' XD Falcon.
Johnson finished third overall in Tasmania in what was just the second event for the car, one that replicates the iconic Falcon that helped his Bathurst-winning father Dick achieve national fame some 40 years ago.
Five-time TCM Champion John Bowe said an extra opportunity to race at Bathurst is something drivers will jump at.
"We've been invited to compete with the opening round of the Supercars, which is fantastic," he said.
"Any chance you get, it doesn't matter who you are or what you race, to race at Bathurst or to drive at Bathurst is a bonus. I'm sure all our category participants will be delighted that we have that opportunity.
"TCM has generally been at Bathurst at the October event but I've raced there countless times. If there's three meetings a year I can run there, I will."
Category manager Paul Taylor echoed those sentiments.
"While this is a short notice change to our calendar, another opportunity to compete at Bathurst was an opportunity too good to pass up," he said.
"Having just commenced our season in style in Tasmania, competitors are really looking forward to carrying that momentum forward by putting on some great races on the Mountain."
