French karter now threat in TRS
Clement Novalak may well be a name worth keeping in mind for the future as the French born double WSK world kartsport champion has moved into contention for the 2018 Toyota Racing Series drivers’ title.
The series heads to Hampton Downs for the third round this weekend with the historic NZ Motor Cup up for contention in the final feature race on Sunday. So far the spotlight has been on two Ferrari Academy drivers, Christchurch’s Marcus Armstrong and Russian Robert Shwartzman, and the Flying Dutchman Richard Verschoor.
The trio have filled the top three places on the points table after two of the five consecutive rounds, but Novalak has sent notice that we have a fourth contender after a lights-to-flag victory in the final race last weekend in Invercargill.
Debuting in his first single seater series, the 17-year-old has flown under the radar, qualifying well in both rounds and quietly gathering points.
Finishing is one of the keys to winning overall and while Novalak could prove to be his major threat, Armstrong is well aware of what takes to win.
His capturing the Italian Formula 4 Championship and finishing runner up in the German F4 Championship has given the Europe-based teenager the essential experience to pace himself to win the Toyota it Racing Series title. F5000s supporting TRS Key support class at Hampton Downs will be the thundering F5000 single seater-based NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series featuring New Zealand motor racing super veteran Ken Smith (Lola T332).
The 75-year-old contesting his 60th consecutive season of national level motor racing continues to defy stereotypes associated with ageing, qualifying quickest and winning the first race at the third round of the 2017/18 series at Taupo last weekend.
Gear selection issues slowed him on Sunday, though he still finished second in both races to fellow former series champ Andy Higgins (Lola T332).
Impressing in his debut season in the premier historic singleseater category meanwhile, is 21-year-old Christchurch driver Michael Collins in the ex-Chris Lambden McRae GM1 owned by Alistair Hey. Benjamin Carrell is the online editor of nzmotorracing.co.nz