Motorsport: Richard Verschoor wins NZ Motor Cup

Richard Verschoor won two of the three races at Hampton Downs. Photo / Matthew Hansen

Richard Verschoor has won the New Zealand Motor Cup by claiming victory in the Toyota Racing Series feature race at Hampton Downs on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Dutchman led from start to finish and held off Kiwi championship leader Marcus Armstrong and Russian Robert Swartzman.

Verschoor had to withstand a late safety car re-start but held his nerve to win his fourth race of the season.

Armstrong continues to lead the standings overall – 41 points ahead of M2 Competition teammate Swartzman. Verschoor is third a further 39 points adrift.

Verschoor made a solid start from pole while Armstrong slotted straight in behind the Dutchman with Shwartzman in third place.

Kiwis Brendon Leitch and Taylor Cockerton enjoyed a fierce tussle towards the back of the field often going two-wide into the first corner. Leitch eventually managed to pull clear but he brought out a red flag when he went off the track and into the wall on the exit to the final corner with 11 laps to go.

New Zealander Reid Harker finished seventh with compatriots Cockerton 10th and Ryan Yardley 12th.

The series moves to Taupo next week.

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