Bargwanna brings home rookie trophy

Warragul Touring Car Racing driver Ben Bargwanna was awarded the TCR Europe Rookie Trophy in his debut international event in Portugal recently.

Bargwanna, 22, stood on the podium alongside legendary TCR Europe race winner Tom Coronel after winning the rookie trophy for his result of 12th overall in the event's closely contested second race.

Bargwanna made a great start from 19th on the grid and held 14th position for the early part as he took advantage of incidents in front to quickly move to 13th.

He gained another place to 12th after a post-race penalty was handed to a rival competitor.

The result was enough to give Bargwanna the TCR Europe Rookie Trophy, the young driver's first international racing accolade.

"What a race," Bargwanna said after the event.

"It's been incredible and I can't thank Team Clairet Sport enough.

"I came home top rookie and 12th outright from 19th on the grid. I'm so stoked, over the moon, I can't stop smiling.

"It's been a whirlwind of emotions this weekend, but it has been one of the best of my life. I'm so happy, I can't thank the Clairets, my parents and my sponsor group enough, it's been incredible and I'm seriously so pleased.

"I'm covered in champagne, I've got a trophy and it's not what I expected to be coming home with, but I'm so happy."

Bargwanna continued his TCR Australia series campaign at Phillip Island as part of the SpeedSeries on the weekend.

He will be now heading back to Europe to contest round two of the TCR World Tour in Belgium later this month.