Driver Daniel Gaunt (below) says the new Toyota FT50 offers big improvements in safety.
Driver Daniel Gaunt (below) says the new Toyota FT50 offers big improvements in safety.
New race car has embraced the advances of the past 10 years
Daniel Gaunt returned to his open-wheel roots when he put the new Toyota Racing Series FT50 through its paces at Hampton Downs and came away impressed.
Gaunt, who won the 2005-06 and 2006-07 championships, is the only driver to have trialled the old-generation FT40 and the new model.
"The two cars are quite different, as you'd expect. One is 10 years old and the other is brand new with all the latest technology on it.
"Most importantly the biggest improvements have been around safety. A lot has changed with race cars in 10 years and the new TRS car has incorporated all the advancements in that time.
"I was lucky enough to drive both cars back-to-back at the recent test day and you really can tell the difference. There's a big change in aerodynamics and the brakes are so much better. With the change to twin front shocks the car feels much more stable and you can grab more kerb.
"The car feels 15 to 20 per cent better in all areas. It still uses that same engine as the old car, which is fine as it's a great powerplant so there was no need to put a different one in. The existing one has had 10 years of development and is really reliable."
Toyota NZ motorsport manager Steve Boyce says the FT50 builds on the success of TRS. "This is a car for the future. We have taken a bold step forward in driver safety, technology and driving dynamics to ensure the championship continues to provide drivers with a world-class driving experience," said Boyce.
"Tatuus have delivered us a beautiful car which we can all be very proud of and the teams and drivers can look forward to facing a new challenge as we look to the future. As always we remain 100 per cent focused on our core mission of developing young drivers' skills in the cockpit and this car will enable us to continue to do so," said category manager Barrie Thomlinson.
The data obtained from each test will be used to decide the final set-up of the car before the teams take over for the series.
In its first 10 years the series has consistently attracted international drivers to New Zealand to hone their skills . It also gives young Kiwis a chance to gauge their speed and skill against the drivers they are likely to meet on circuits in Europe, Australia, Asia and the United States.
The series has helped the race craft of young international racers including Red Bull F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, Alex Lynn, closing in on the GP3 title, and Lucas Auer, fourth in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.
Kiwi graduates plying their trade overseas include Porsche factory driver Brendon Hartley in the World Endurance Championship, Mitch Evans contesting the GP2 series and Richie Stanaway in the GP3 championship and Aston Martin in the endurance championship.
Nick Cassidy races in the European Formula Three championship. Earl Bamber raced in A1GP for New Zealand and is now heading towards becoming a multiple Porsche champion in Europe and Asia. Shane van Gisbergen and Gaunt now compete successfully in V8 Supercars and the Porsche Carrera series in Australia.
Drivers now can change gears with paddle shifters attached to the new steering wheel.
FT-50 facts
Designed and constructed by Tatuus in Italy, the only core component common to the new car and the outgoing FT40 is the Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8-litre engine. Technology upgrades include:
