Leitch eyes American move after TRS series

Southland driver Brendon Leitch has two rounds remaining in his fourth Toyota Racing Series championship but is working on a move to the United States once his duties are finished in New Zealand this summer.

The 21-year-old has shown promise this season, winning a race and fighting at the front of the field at times but has also had his share of bad luck and mistakes that have cost him any chance of fighting for the title over the final two rounds.

Leitch will look to finish strongly by winning races at this weekend’s round at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo and at next week’s New Zealand Grand Prix meet at Chris Amon Motorsport Park in Manfeild before embarking on an attempt to head Stateside.

“I would love to race in America and follow in Scott Dixon’s footsteps,” Leitch said.

“I am trying very hard to put a deal together – it is very expensive, so we are looking at investment packages.

We are working on a couple of deals and it would be a dream come true to race over there [in the US]. Brendon Leitch

We are trying to piece it together but we are just playing it by ear.

“We are working on a couple of deals and it would be a dream come true to race over there.”

While IndyCars would be the ultimate goal, Leitch is hoping to work his way up through a number of single-seater categories in the US during the next couple of years.

“I have just been testing there in the USF 2000 championship in cars that are similar to the Toyota Racing Series.

“I hope to do that series this year. It is the bottom rung on the ladder and if I do well, you move up from there, and next thing you know, you are in IndyCars.”