Motorsport: Young Kiwi duo trumps international TRS talent

Nick Cassidy. Photo / Supplied

Despite being outnumbered four to one, three New Zealand drivers are in the top five after two rounds of the international Toyota Racing Series.

Local knowledge will have counted for some of the results, but Nick Cassidy, Damon Leitch and Jono Lester are taking the fight to the 15 overseas drivers who make up the bulk of the series.

The TRS championship has attracted the biggest number of overseas drivers to our shores since the Tasman Series in the 1950s and 1960s.

During those times, New Zealand motor racing fans were treated to the sight of Formula One stars Sterling Moss, Reg Parnell, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Chris Amon tackling various Kiwi circuits.

Fans here will never see the likes of such iconic open-wheel drivers again, let alone the present F1 stars, but what they do have is the opportunity to see possible F1 stars in the making.

Former McLaren Formula One team member Bob McMurray spent 30-odd years involved at the top end of motor racing and reckons the TRS series is something New Zealanders should be proud of.

"Over all the years involved in the sport there was never a formula in any country who bought young drivers on," said McMurray.

"The TRS is a formula that tends to bring international drivers on because it gives them a chance to race in their winter and get them ready for their European season.

"From a New Zealand perspective, it gives our guys a chance to test themselves against international opposition and I think that's fantastic."

Although the championship is only two rounds into its five-round series, a couple of Kiwi drivers are doing okay at the moment. Last year's runner up and rookie of the year, Nick Cassidy, sits atop the table heading into Taupo this weekend.

"We're only two out of five rounds into the championship and there's a long, long way to go yet," said Cassidy.

"Things can change very quickly in this game and I'll have to keep it up for this weekend that's for sure. The pace has always been there but I'm a lot more mature in my driving this year.

"In the past I pushed it a bit too much and was on the limit too much, but I know the speed is there now and I need to focus on the race as a whole. There's still a few areas I need to focus on to improve my driving."

Cassidy is leading the TRS championship heading into the third round, but there is another hard-charging Kiwi who has his sights on picking up more points.

Leitch led the series when the TRS arrived in Timaru for last weekend's round and is keen to get it back from Cassidy.

"I don't want to get too excited but the car has good speed every race and [is] much easier to drive than last year," said Leitch.

"It's definitely good for us [and Cassidy] to be leading the internationals at the moment. The car being really good helps but I've changed my driving style a bit this year. I'm not trying as hard, which sounds a bit funny, but I'm going faster because I'm not over-driving the car any more."

Although the two Kiwi drivers at the top of the heap after two rounds are concentrating on further improving their stance, fans will be well aware that with three rounds to go many of the international drivers will only just be getting their heads around the cars and the New Zealand circuits.

TRS points

Nick Cassidy (NZ)383
Damon Leitch (NZ) 372
Felix Serralles (Puerto Rico) 295
Josh Hill (UK) 261
Hannes van Asseldonk (Netherlands) 237
Jono Lester (NZ) 237.