Motorsport: Strong overseas field for TRS competition

The Toyota Racing Series has boosted the career of Kiwi driver Mitch Evans. Photo / Paul Estcourt

During the 1960s and early 1970s, Kiwi motorsport fans were lucky enough to watch some of the best open-wheel drivers in the world battle it out on New Zealand and Australia tracks during the Tasman Series.

Many of the then current Formula One drivers, and those on the cusp of becoming one, would travel Downunder in the European racing off season to contest four races in New Zealand and four in Australia.

Some of the names who competed and adorned the various trophies up for grabs included some of New Zealand's greatest drivers; Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon and Graham McRae.

The series also attracted overseas international stars such as Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Jochen Rindt, Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Stewart.

While not directly comparable, the Toyota Racing Series, also in January and February, has attracted a bumper crop of overseas talent.

This year organiser Barry Thomlinson has enticed around 15 international drivers to contest the series, which is scheduled for five back-to-back rounds starting in Invercargill at Teretonga Park, from January 12-15.

While fans will not be turning up to watch established F1, IndyCar or GP2 drivers, they will get to see the next generation of racing royalty strut their stuff in New Zealand.

Former works Ferrari driver and the 1969 Tasman Series winner to boot, Chris Amon is very happy to see the TRS series attracting so much overseas talent to out shores.

"I'm really exited about this. I think to have such a huge international field is amazing," said Amon.

"Obviously some of them are not well known but it's tremendous and the series [TRS] goes from strength to strength.

"I can't remember there ever being so many international drivers here in New Zealand at any one time for a series. Normally it was six, eight, nine or 10.

"There was one year, however, in 1961 I think, there were 14 who came and raced."

Part of the lure for the drivers competing in the New Zealand Grand Prix, from February 9-12, is that it is one of only two GPs held outside Formula One. It is also the first Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) 2012 international calendar event.

An additional attraction for the Kiwi drivers in the field is to compete against overseas pilots and use them as a benchmark for where their respective skill levels might lie.

Amon is one who still thinks being able to race nose to nose with contemporaries from other countries can only be a good thing.

"When I was racing against the big names from Europe in New Zealand it put me in good stead for when I went over there. It very much gives you something to benchmark yourself against.

"An exciting thing over the past year or so is that a number of young New Zealand drivers have been able to prove themselves against some of the good young European drivers.

"If you can do that you can go to Europe and know you're sort of going to be up there," said Amon.

"The whole profile of the series is growing and for the young Ferrari guy [Raffaele Marciello] from the elite Ferrari Driver Academy to be sent out here is great as I think he's regarded as their number two driver. I'm really excited about it all," said Amon.

Twelve countries will be represented over the five weeks of competition and three-time champion team Giles Motorsport is back to defend their 2011 trophy.

ETEC Motorsport, M2 Competition and Victory Motor Racing teams all have drivers who are expected to challenge for the championship and with grids of 20 cars, racing is sure to be fast and furious.

TRS Calendar

* Round 1: January 12-15, Teretonga Park, Invercargill - Spirit of a Nation Cup.
* Round 2: January 19-22, Timaru Raceway, Timaru - Timaru Herald Trophy.
* Round 3: January 26-29, Taupo Motorsport Park - Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy.
* Round 4: February 2-5, Hampton Downs, Auckland - New Zealand Motor Cup.
* Round 5: February 9-12, Manfeild, Feilding - New Zealand Grand Prix, Dan Higgins Trophy and Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup.