Garry Rogers Motorsport TCR driver Dylan O’Keeffe has travelled to Zurich, Switzerland and will test the latest-specification Vukovic Motorsport Renault Megane RS TCR car at Austria’s Salzburgring circuit this Saturday.
As well as testing the Renault, O’Keeffe will also spend time at the Vukovic Motorsport workshop during his stint abroad.
As the homologated international constructor of the Renault Megane RS TCR vehicles, Vukovic Motorsport has supplied cars and parts to GRM; in turn, GRM has contributed to the development of components including chassis and suspension.
O’Keeffe said he is grateful for the opportunity to play a role in the continued development of the Renault TCR car.
“Milenko and the team at GRM have a good working relationship, and before racing stopped due to COVID-19, I was talking to Milenko and providing him with feedback on the Renault’s performance and handling,” O’Keeffe said.
“By being able to travel to Switzerland and Austria, test the car and work in the Vukovic Motorsport facility, I can give them direct feedback on the car’s behaviour, but also see how the team functions and bring that knowledge back to Australia for my weekday job at GRM – it’s a bit like an exchange program.
“With the COVID-19 situation, organising an overseas trip has not been easy, and I appreciate the efforts of the people at both GRM and Vukovic Motorsport who have gone through the necessary processes to make it possible.”
Vukovic said O’Keeffe caught his attention during his first test of the Renault TCR car earlier in the year.
“I was very impressed with Dylan straight up when he had his first test of the Renault Megane TCR car at Sandown back in February,” Vukovic said.
“I received very good feedback from Dylan on the car from Dylan after this test; as I’m the manufacturer of the Renault Megane TCR car here in Switzerland, quality feedback is very important to me in development of the car.”
“With the COVID-19 situation affecting motorsport in Australia, Dylan and I kept in contact a lot throughout this period. The timing of him coming over to validate the new components and upgrades has worked out perfectly for us, which is why I have given him this opportunity.”
GRM team boss Barry Rogers said the overseas test will be a reward for O’Keeffe’s commitment and dedication.
“It’s a great reward for Dylan who has been working hard at GRM for almost two years,” Rogers said.
“GRM sees a bright future in competing in an international category like TCR, and he has recognised the potential the whole program has.
“Dylan’s speed last year caught the attention of the Vukovic Motorsport, and that has gone a long way to securing this test.”
O’Keeffe’s test will take place at the Salzburgring circuit this Saturday, 15 August.
