Motorsport: Randle looks to hold off challengers

Thomas Randle leads the Toyota Racing Series with three races remaining. Photo / Matthew Hansen

Just three races remain in the 2017 Castrol Toyota Racing Series, and a total of six drivers stand as mathematical chances for title glory at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.

Australia's Thomas Randle leads the championship, with 692 points next to his name. But just 27 points separate him and Victory R driver Richard Verschoor, and less than 100 points separate the top five - completed by Pedro Piquet, Marcus Armstrong, and Jehan Daruvala.

With the points battle representing one of the tightest in TRS history, Randle told herald.co.nz that he aims to block out the pressure.

"I'm not really worried. I'm just trying not to think about it," he said.

"I'm just trying to do my own thing - same as the last four rounds. I know they're all quick and they're going to stop at nothing to try and get some points back on me.

"I'd love to do a repeat of Hampton Downs and get double pole; that'd be nice.

"The Grand Prix would be something special considering the last Aussie to win it was Warwick Brown 42-years ago, and obviously the championship."

The Melbourne-based racer entered the TRS season having finished fourth overall in last year's BRDC British Formula 3 Championship. He hopes that a title win could help improve his chances of breaking further into the World Endurance Championship framework.

The 20-year-old has already confirmed plans to enter the 2017 British LMP3 Cup Championship with Douglas Motorsport aboard a Ligier - a six-round series that starts in April at Donington Park.

Randle's title-defining weekend started on the right foot yesterday, after he topped two of the day's Manfeild practice sessions, including the final one ahead of qualifying tomorrow for races one and three.

"I'm just going about the weekend the same as the last four rounds," said Randle.

"We've had really strong practice today finishing on the top, so hopefully we get the car there tomorrow in qualifying."

The first of the weekend's Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon qualifying sessions take today at 11.10am, with race one to follow at 3.10pm.