Australian racer Chelsea Angelo confirmed that she'll be back behind the wheel of the #37 VW Golf GTI by Melbourne Performance Centre at the second round of TCR Australia at Phillip Island.
Touring cars up and coming talent Chelsea Angelo was pushed on the sidelines in early 2020, when the Covid-19 outbreak suddenly halted the Australian F1 Grand Prix at her home city of Melbourne mid-way through the race event. She would have been set to race in the Australian TCR series, support event of the F1 race.
24-year old Angelo had previously contested selected rounds of the inaugural TCR Australia Series in 2019, competing in a Holden Astra run by Kelly Racing.
The young lady driver should have been on the starting grid of the 2020 championship as well, before the season was scrapped for the pandemic.
She became very active in simracing during the lengthy Victorian lockdowns and won races in the official series Esports series, becoming very popular among the race fans.
Having missed the 2021 opening round at Symmons Plains, Chelsea Angelo now confirmed that she will be back on track at Phillip Island in the #37 Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR by Melbourne Performance Centre, with the backing of Astrontech, as well as new sponsors that will be revealed in due course.
“It’s exciting to be back", said Chelsea. "It has been a long few weeks to get it all sorted, and there were times when I didn’t think it would be possible, but I’m pleased that it has all worked out,” she added.
“I’m over the moon that I’ll be back in the car, so I can’t wait to be on the grid and be back in the Volkswagen
It’s cool to be the only VW in the field as well. It gives me a unique edge, but it’s a really strong field this year, so I’m being realistic and aiming for some top 10 results. Anything above that, I’d be over the moon."
“I haven’t raced for 12 months, and other than the test the other week, I haven’t had a lot of seat time, but I have no doubt that I’ll find my groove quickly.
“I’m fortunate to know the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit very well. I’ve done plenty of miles around there, and doing the test day recently was important and beneficial."
“At the moment, it’s just a one-off for Phillip Island, but we are aiming to get some great results and build on the momentum with our group of partners.”
The second round of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will get underway on February 19-21.
UPDATE: The Phillip Island round has been postponed after Victoria was confirmed to enter its third lockdown due to a Covid-19 cluster.
"Motorcycling Australia and Motorsport Australia regret to advise the postponement of the upcoming Australian All Wheels Race Fest at Phillip Island, scheduled for 18-21 February." - an official statement from TCR Australia reads.
"With confirmation of a statewide Victorian lockdown imposed by the Victorian Government limiting travel into and out of the state, the decision to postpone the event was made today to provide certainty to categories, competitors, teams, officials and spectators before the ‘bump-in’ proceedings began."
"Work will begin shortly to see if an alternative date is possible for this unique event which brings together a spectacular race event of both two and four wheels."
While this is certainly a disappoitment for young racer Chelsea Angelo, who had been working very hard to secure the deal to come back racing, we are certain that the Aussie driver will return to the track as soon as the event will be given the green light.
"I'm absolutely devastated knowing I won't be racing next week", wrote Angelo.
"But I do know that I will be back in the car and will not give up everything I've worked for. Stay strong Melbourne."