Kiwi drivers eye glory in Manfeild grand prix
Six Kiwi drivers will line up on the grid for this weekend’s prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix at the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding.
It’s the final round of the 2018 Toyota Racing Series, led by Christchurch’s Marcus Armstrong. Having won the Lady Wigram Trophy race at the opening round four weeks ago, Armstrong will be well focused to have his name etched on the GP trophy along with many famous drivers.
These include Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, John Surtees, Bruce Mclaren, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Keke Rosberg and current Williams F1 driver Lance Stroll.
Three-time NZGP winner Ken Smith will also take to the grid for his 47th time.
Smith may not be first across the line in Sunday’s feature race, but he will not be the last. Currently competing in the historic F5000 Tasman Revival Series, Smith is extremely competitive and is undoubtedly the driver to beat in this category. He last competed in the Toyota Racing Series at the NZGP meeting in 2013, finishing 16th with fellow Kiwi Nick Cassidy winning the trophy.
The four other Kiwis on the grid - Brendon Leitch, Taylor Cockerton, Reid Harker and Ryan Yardley - sit seventh to ninth on the points table.
While all would admit to having an average TRS season, each has a measured chance of winning. While a vital key is in qualifying well, Manfeild is a circuit that presents drivers ample passing opportunities.
Heimgartner leads BNT V8s
Other categories racing in support at the NZGP meeting include the BNT V8s.
It’s the penultimate round in which Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner leads from teammate Jason Bargwanna.
It has almost been the perfect summer for Heimgartner leading up to the Australian Supercars season that starts in March when he will debut for the Nissan Motorsport team. Also featuring at Manfeild will be 2017 Australian Kumho Tyre V8 Touring Car Series champion Jack Smith.
Smith didn’t turn a lap after practice at the last round in Invercargill, retiring from the weekend with a blown engine. Having adapted to his class one Holden quickly, he could be a surprise winner.
Formula 1600 decider
The Formula 1600 championship has been around for many years and is still a key step promising kartsport drivers.
Their final round is this weekend at the NZGP meeting and the title holder will be decided between Auckland teenagers Callum Hedge and Josh Bethune. Both are names that will undoubtedly appear on the starting grid of future NZGPS.
Formula 1600 (Ford) provided competition for the NZ Grand Prix trophy between years 2002-05. Ken Smith won his last NZGP in 2004 driving a Van Diemen Stealth.
❚ Benjamin Carrell is the online editor of nzmotorracing.co.nz