Leitch raring to start US series
CROMWELL driver Brendon Leitch simply cannot wait to start speeding around American racetracks.
The 21yearold apprentice mechanic leaves on Sunday for Florida to compete in the first round of the sixrace Formula Four United States Championship, which starts the foloowing weekend.
‘‘I just want to jump in the car and get out there,’’ Leitch said.
Leitch will race across North America in venues ranging from Florida, in the United States, to Ontario, in Canada.
The trip will not be Leitch’s first experience racing on American soil.
He test drove last year for the Newman Wachs Racing Team, a big name in American motorsport.
His testing times were impressive and helped the driver being sought to compete in the upcoming championship.
Leitch recently competed in the New Zealand Grand Prix, the final leg of a fiverace New Zealand series.
Although showing sizzling speed in his races, Leitch could not match his third placing in last year’s series, running ninth this year.
Not helping his chances in the grand prix was a mishap when he was struck by a rival car. It sent Leitch and his vehicle hurtling into the air before they landed spectacularly.
Luckily, the driver walked away from the incident relatively unscathed.
The Invercargill native will not have to look far for inspiration while competing in the American championship.
The last round of the series in Texas is serving as a support race for the FIA World Endurance Championship, in which Scott Dixon is competing.
American race conditions are likely to be similar to those in New Zealand, but he will get to some scorching speeds, especially at Indianapolis, Leitch said.
‘‘Because the straights are longer, we will reach higher top speeds — around 250kmh.’’