Motorsport: Marcus Armstrong powers to Toyota Racing Series race two win

Marcus Armstrong won race two of the Toyota Racing Series on Sunday. Photo / Matthew Hansen

Kiwi Marcus Armstrong has taken a commanding victory in race two of the Toyota Racing Series at Ruapuna Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

The 17-year-old made a cracking start to leap over pole-sitter Clement Novalak by the first corner and he sailed off into the distance, leaving the rest of the field in his dust

"I had the opportunity to just relax at the end a little bit, which is nice for a change," Armstrong said after the race.

"The first 6-7 laps were really good – the car was great – and then we could take it easy from there."

He believes there is plenty left in the car for this afternoon's 20-lap race for the Lady Wigram Trophy.

"We will put on some different tyres and will be ready to go," he added.

Race one winner Richard Verschoor came home second while Russian Robert Shwartzman completed the podium. That trio already looks to be where the battle for the championship will come from.

Brit James Pull managed to get to second by the end of the first lap and spent the majority of the race there before he struck problems at turn two, running wide and bending a steering arm.

He soldiered on for a few laps, dropping places before eventually heading to pit lane.

It should have served as a warning for drivers but a number of others suffered from the same problem – Kiwi Brendon Leitch and Novalak among them.

Pukekohe's Taylor Cockerton inherited some spots late in the race and took a fourth place finish while fellow Kiwis Reid Harker (eighth) and Ryan Hartley (ninth) also banked some valuable championship points.

The final race of the weekend begins just after 3pm.

Race two results
1. Marcus Armstrong (NZL)
2. Richard Verschoor (NED)
3. Robert Shwartzman (RUS)
4. Taylor Cockerton (NZL)
8. Reid Harker (NZL)
9. Ryan Yardley (NZL)
DNF. Brendon Leitch (NZL)