Title comes down to three races

ON PAPER, TOP SIX DRIVERS ALL HAVE CHANCE TO TAKE CROWN

Marcus Armstrong leads the Castrol Toyota Racing Series field at Mike Pero Motorsport Park. underlined by just one finish outside of the top four.

However an indifferent run at Taupo’s Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park last weekend helped open the door to a number of key rivals, headed by Australian Thomas Randle.

Four podiums and two race wins, including the coveted New Zealand Motor Cup, have vaulted the Melbourne pilot and his Victory Racing FT- 50 into the lead of the points standings. He now carries a 27- point lead over Verschoor.

“Wewill push hard this weekend and I will try everything to take those points back,” says Verschoor.

“Taupo was really bad. We still don't know what went wrong. We just didn't have the speed from the first session on.

“Randle has been strong all series, but I will just try to finish in front every time. That is all I can do.”

Quiet achiever Pedro Piquet lies third, four points behind Verschoor after a patient sophomore season largely free of incident. Piquet leads M2 Competition teammate and leading New Zealander Marcus Armstrong by 47 points.

After a barnstorming debut outing that saw him take a win and a podium in his first two races, the 16- year- old Christchurch driver endured a rough patch that included two retirements.

However, two victories on the rebound at Hampton Downs and Bruce McLaren Park have thrown Armstrong back into contention, as well as made him the most frequent race winner of the season so far — three wins to the two of Randle, Verschoor, and Piquet.

A total of 225 points is up for grabs this weekend, meaning the top six drivers in the field ( rounded out by Jehan Daruvala and Enaam Ahmed) are all mathematical chances to claim title honours.

Race one of the weekend takes place later this afternoon, with races two and three to follow tomorrow.