Lillie makes surprise TCM return
For the first time in three years, Dean Lillie is racing in the Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters at Sandown as the substitute for Steven Johnson.
Lillie is racing this weekend as Johnson is unfortunately missing a second straight round for health reasons.
After John Bowe drove the #33 BRUT Hancock Racing Mustang at SMP, Lillie is now in the hot seat at Sandown and qualified in the top five on return.
His last TCM drive was in 2021 in a Holden LX Torana SL/R A9X and took a race victory.
Lillie is pleased to be back even though it was all last minute.
“I got the call from Russell (Hancock) at 10pm Wednesday night so it was pretty late,” Lillie told AUTO ACTION.
“We had just enough time to change seats and get comfortable, but it was a good phone call to get. I do not know what happened to Steven and I hope he is alright.
“I drove the Torana which is now (Andrew) Fisher’s car and won a race with that.”
Lillie was in the fight for pole before the championship leaders pushed even harder.
Whilst he was initially disappointed to be fifth, he was happy to be just two tenths away. especially considering he also lost track time in his one and only practice session getting used to the Mustang with rear end issues.
“I wasn’t happy to be fifth until I saw the times,” he recalled.
“I was happy to be that close which means it is going to be a good race having so many cars that close together.
“Hopefully we can put on a good show like we did in Sydney.
“I will try to keep my nose clean and see if the others make mistakes.
“A podium is something we can realistically get.
“It (the car) feels okay. We are just chasing a bit of front grip, but I am sure we can overcome that.
“We made some changes between practice and qualifying and I think we know what to do.”
Lillie is always behind the wheel of something having competed in the Great Tarmac Rally last weekend and manages many cars, including Jim Pollicina’s Torana through Ravage Raceworks.
It is rather fitting that his TCM return has arrived in unexpected circumstances at Sandown, given it was the round he was targeting to roll out his own Mustang, but it was not to be.
“I have my own TCM car, a 1969 Mustang. We have been building an engine for eight months but the part supply has been terrible,” he said.
“Back in February I was hoping to have it here but we are not even close.
“But this weekend it is great to jump another Mustang so I can see if mine is a piece of shit or not.
“Mine should be out next year.”
The TCM Trophy Race is at 8.40 AEST Saturday morning.
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