Hyundai’s two-time TCR Australia champion Josh Buchan will spearhead a three-car attack for HMO Customer Racing at this weekend’s Australian round of the 2025 TCR World Tour championship at The Bend Motorsport Park, near Tailem Bend in South Australia.
The 30-year-old Sydneysider will be joined by teenage rising star Ryan MacMillan in a pair of the latest-specification Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCRs, with international guest driver, China’s Lo Sze Ho, driving the team’s race-winning Hyundai i30 N TCR hatch for one round.
The Race Australia round of the 2025 TCR World Tour is the first of four international events that HMO Customer Racing will compete in this year, including races in South Korea, China and the iconic Macau Grand Prix.
The TCR World Tour pits 11 of the world’s fastest touring car drivers against local competitors at eight events around the globe.
This weekend’s race will be the first World Tour event held at The Bend Motorsport Park, following two previous visits at Sydney Motorsport Park and Mount Panorama in 2023.
It will also be the first time the TCR category races on the challenging 4.95km International Circuit configuration as the local championship has used the shorter West Circuit for the domestic TCR series.
Buchan is confident he can be among the front runners at The Bend following a series of successful pre-race test sessions in his brand-new Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR. And, while MacMillan will be making his touring car debut in a world championship event, the 17-year-old reigning Australian Formula Open champion is not daunted by the prospect and aiming for top 10 results as a springboard into the flyaway rounds.
Lo Sze Ho, a native of Hong Kong, has competed in 45 TCR races driving a Hyundai Elantra N TCR across the TCR Asia and TCR China championships, including four rounds of the TCR World Tour, twice each at the Shanghai International Circuit and Macau Grand Prix.
Australian fans can watch the local round of the 2025 TCR World Tour at The Bend Motorsport Park on September 12-14 live on Fox Sports and 7Plus as part of the Supercars broadcast, while highlights of the remaining rounds at Inje Speedium, Zhuzhou International Circuit and the Macau Grand Prix can be viewed live and free on the TCR TV YouTube channel.
What the drivers said:
Car 30: i30 Sedan N TCR – Josh Buchan
“I can’t wait to race against the TCR World Tour competitors again – it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to ever since 2023 when Australia hosted its first rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park and Mount Panorama.
“The line-up of drivers is much the same as it was back then, so it will be great to catch up with a few old friends. But, more importantly, I’m really excited about swapping paint with the best touring car drivers in the world and I’m determined to bring home a strong result for the amazing team and our supporters.
“The Bend is a fantastic circuit for racing and, even though we haven’t raced on the International Circuit configuration here in Australia before, we certainly have a head start in terms of track knowledge that we intend to use to our advantage.”
Car 5: i30 Sedan N TCR – Ryan MacMillan
“I am really excited to finally go racing again after a delayed start to the season and make my touring car debut with HMO Customer Racing.
“I don’t underestimate the challenge of jumping in the deep end, with my first race being in a world championship against some of the best drivers in the world. To be honest, it’s a little bit daunting. But, at the same time, I am ready for it and, as much as the racer in me would like to win straight away, I’m looking forward to the competition.”
Driver Information
| Josh Buchan | Ryan MacMillan | |
| Car | Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR | Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR |
| Number | 1 | 5 |
| TCR seasons competed | 2021 – 2025 | 2025 |
| TCR Poles | 4 | 0 |
| TCR Podiums | 32 | 0 |
| TCR Wins | 8 | 0 |
| TCR World Ranking | 156 | NA |
2025 TCR World Tour, Round 5: The Bend Motorsport Park
| Track Facts | International Circuit |
| Location | Tailem Bend, South Australia |
| Length | 4.95 km |
| TCR Pole Record | NA |
| TCR Lap Record | NA |
2025 TCR World Tour Schedule, Round 5: The Bend Motorsport Park
| Friday September 12 | Saturday September 13 | Sunday September 14 |
| Practice 1: 8:55am | TCR Grid Walk: 8:40am | TCR Grid Walk: 11:30am |
| Practice 2: 12:00pm | Race 1: 8:55am | Race 3: 11:50am |
| Qualifying: 2:30pm | TCR Grid Walk: 1:50pm | |
| Race 2: 2:05pm |