Touring Car Challenge Overview

The Australian Touring Car Challenge (ATCC) continues to grow in popularity and support, not bad for a category that many said wouldn’t get off the ground in the first place.

Formulated in 2003 by Garry Willmington and Rod Dale, the ATCC, which celebrates over 20 years of Touring Car history, was thought up with the aim of bringing to together V8 Supercars, Super Tourers, Future Tourers and Group A into one category under a unique handicapping race system.

Since then, the ATCC has enjoyed a rapid growth and this year has seen an average car count of 20 cars and the series has ventured to circuits in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The ATCC race action has been spectacular to say the least and this has seen numerous race winners mainly due to a well constructed handicapping system, which has enticed many to join the series.

“After testing the water last year [2004], we are better prepared this year [2005] and the racing has indicated that,” said ATCC director Garry Willmington. “We have seen an increase in competitor numbers, along with different winners from all classes, and this will only buoy well for the future.”

The 2005 “series has been very competitive and many of these races have been decided in the final laps,” explained Willmington. “It is also safe to say that almost every driver that has competed this year has spent time leading a race. The close nature of the ATCC series is well and truly reflected in the point standings.”