This year's championship is probably the most competitive in the past 10 years, with up to 19 drivers at times all within a second of each other. The leading drivers at the end of the five-weekend series will have developed the skills to do well back in their home country, and some have definitely moved up the ladder.
Last week it was announced another graduate of the TRS, Brit Alex Lynn, has made it to Formula 1 as the test and reserve driver for Williams. He joins Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull Racing), Raffaele Marciello (Sauber) and Will Stevens (Caterham F1) at the sharp end of the sport.
Of the Kiwis who have gone on to become professional drivers overseas, two-time TRS champion and three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Nick Cassidy is the latest to get signed for a high-profile team.
The Aucklander is heading to Japan to contest their national Formula Three championship this year with top-notch outfit Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport (TOMS). Cassidy also had a chance to race in the FIA European F3 series in Europe but opted for the Japanese gig instead.
"Formula Three was a strong option for me, especially after Macau [he finished third in the highly regarded Macau Grand Prix]," said Cassidy.
"In the end, the opportunity to race for a team like TOMS doesn't come along that often. In the past, drivers like Marcus Erikson, Adrian Sutil, Robert Kubica, Jacques Villeneuve and even V8 Supercars driver James Courtney have driven for the team.
"Typically, TOMS has always raced a European driver alongside a Japanese driver. In recent years they've had two Japanese drivers but haven't gone so well at Macau, which is rare for them. I'm lucky in the timing that TOMS want to give F3 a big push and I'm the European driver - well I'm a Kiwi, really."
The added bonus for Cassidy is that TOMS is a Toyota-supported racing team, a fact that could open even more doors for the young Kiwi. Toyota recognised TOMS as an authorised tuning shop back in 1975 and it went on to do tuning work for Lexus as well. Along with their commitment to F3 racing, the Tokyo-based team is also heavily involved in Super GT racing and have a branch in England.
"Toyota make the F3 engines themselves and I'll be the first one from the Toyota Racing Series to go and race for a Toyota supported team in Japan, which is pretty cool," Cassidy said.
"It's a well regarded and tough championship and I wouldn't be heading out there if it was a nothing series. I've had a lot of experience in Europe and now I have to make the right step for my career and, being in Japan, I'll be on the radar of all the Japanese manufacturers who have GT programmes running around the world.
"Having a link with a manufacturer [like Toyota] can only improve my chances of building a professional race career.
"The other good thing about this opportunity is that I will still be able to race in Europe if the opportunity arises."
Cassidy has been getting open wheel time as a test pilot for the new FT50 TRS car before and during the current series. He was also in action in the TR86 championship, slipping behind the wheel of Marcus Armstrong's car at Teretonga after the youngster headed to Europe to race karts.
In fact, in his first time in the GT86-based car, Cassidy picked up a first, second and a third, which showshe knows his way around a racetrack.
TRS 2015 calendar
Round 3: January 29-February 1 at Hampton Downs, New Zealand Motor Cup
Round 4: February 5-8 at Taupo Motorsport Park, Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy
Round 5: February 12-15 at Manfeild, New Zealand Grand Prix (plus the Dan Higgins Trophy and Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup)
TRS Points
1. Lance Stroll399
2. Arjun Maini311
3. Brendon Leitch (NZ)247
4. James Munro (NZ)244
5. Thomas Randle237
6. James Conroy (NZ)234
7. Santino Ferrucci230
8. Brandon Maisano227
