"My goal for TRS 2014 is to be competitive against the other drivers and gain more experience driving formula cars," said Pedro Piquet.
"Nowhere else in the world can you do 15 races in five weeks, so TRS is the best championship for drivers who are looking to further their knowledge and experience."
Knowledge, experience and race kilometres are the key words for young drivers starting the path towards building a successful motor racing career. The 23-car field covering around 3000 race kilometres over the five-week period means getting enough laps in the tank is a done deal. It's the knowledge and experience Pedro will get here in New Zealand that prompted his dad Nelson to bring him down to New Zealand.
"I decided to bring Pedro out to New Zealand because it's summertime here, he's not in school and he gets to race 15 times in five weekends," said Nelson.
"Also, this is a good place for him to drive in a single seater car after getting his FIA licence after attending the academy in Europe."
Piquet senior has other sons who have raced over the years, namely his eldest son Nelson, so watching an offspring is not a new thing but it's still his son. Having experienced racing himself Piquet isn't too concerned about the safety issues, it's more about the learning experience and how to drive and race safely.
"It's all about the learning you know. He's only 15 years old. Coming here is all about learning and seeing how he goes and watching to see what speed he can show. Sure, we are hoping for a good result but he's up against other drivers who've had sometimes two years experience in other formulas in Europe and elsewhere.
"It's good for him to see how to start a race, how to make it through the first few laps and stay out of trouble, how to overtake and things like that," said Piquet.
Back in Piquet senior's day there was nothing like the TRS championship with a field of young drivers cutting their respective teeth in the cut-and-thrust of single seater racing. With Europe and the Americas in their closed racing season mainly due to the weather, getting a bundle of races under your belt before heading into a new season back home is a boon for the youngsters.
"When I started to race karts in Brazil back then I was 18. By 22 I was sitting in a Super Vee and then I was 26 racing in the British F3.
"I made it to Formula One at 27 but these days you can get into Formula One as a teenager almost.
"Today it is easier. Pedro was racing karts at 8 years old. The cars and chassis are much better and safer now as well as the helmets and everything else," said Piquet.
The 61-year-old hard charger wasn't known for suffering fools lightly and his on and off-track battles with Nigel Mansell are legendary.
He's keen for his son to understand that motor racing is a serious game. "The race is a competition and you may have to guard your ground on the track. I remember telling Pedro sometimes when he was karting he had to be more aggressive and get more involved. I told him we weren't here to have fun but to race as hard as possible and do the best he can.
"I don't get involved with Pedro before the races, I let the engineers do their job.
"I just talk to them after they have finished with Pedro to see what happened and how the race went. It's only information for myself," said Piquet.
The second round of the TRS is at Levels, Timaru this weekend. Piquet junior sits 15th on the points table.
