TRS category manager Barrie T says a new lap record will be the admission price for drivers hoping to win the New Zealand Grand Prix this weekend.
"If it's fine, I think more than one of our racers will step below the lap record at Manfeild, in fact I think that is how we will see the Grand Prix title won. There’s a group of racers who will dip under the record; the winner will most likely step onto the podium from that group," he said.
With Wanganui driver Earl Bamber's 2008 benchmark of 1:03.820 unofficially smashed in early testing for this weekend's Grand Prix, Mr Thomlinson says there are up to four racers contesting this final round of the TRS international series who can re-set the mark and put themselves in consideration for the Grand Prix win.
"The speed and intensity of competition in this year's championship has stepped up far beyond what we have seen in previous years. Already this year we have seen lap records broken over and over, lap records set at stunning new venues like Hampton Downs, and our young racers have brought white-hot race action to every on-track session and race in the series."
Championship leader Mitch Evans, key local rivals Earl Bamber and Andrew Waite and more recently Richie Stanaway have all pushed the pace and intensity of racing in this year's championship, helped by the speed of international racers including NZ Motorcup winner Sten Pentus (Estonia) and Lucas Foresti.
Mr Thomlinson says the Grand Prix will also crown this year's TRS International Series winner.
"We have worked hard on the format of the International Series this year, and as a result have attracted some seriously fast guys from overseas. In addition, our local drivers have responded to the challenge in superb style, delivering exciting, spectacular race action at every track. So the question that remains now is: will it be a Kiwi or an international driver who take the series win this year?"
Foresti is the 20th international driver to contest the Toyota Racing Series.
Today there is an autograph signing session in the Feilding square before on-track action starts with test sessions at 11.25 am and 4.25 pm.
On Saturday, the TRS cars have two back to back qualifying sessions to decide grid positions for the week’s three races, followed by a top ten shootout. At 5.45 pm the cars are on track for the first race of the weekend, the 20-lap Dan Higgins trophy.
On Sunday, the on-track action starts at 11.40 with a 12 lap race, followed in the afternoon at 2.20 pm by the New Zealand Grand Prix. By 3.00 pm the newest name to be inscribed on this historic trophy will be known.
Full entry list for racing at the New Zealand Grand Prix
Mitch Evans
Earl Bamber
Sam MacNeill
Jamie McNee
Daniel Jilesen
Ken Smith
Sten Pentus (international)
Lucas Foresti (international)
Stefan Webling
Andrew Waite
Richie Stanaway
Alistair Wootten
