Former world kart champion Clement Novalak shapes as Toyota Racing Series threat

PITSTOP DIARY: Clement Novalak may well be a name worth keeping in mind for the future as the French born double WSK world kartsport champion has moved into contention for the 2018 Toyota Racing Series drivers’ title.

The series heads to Hampton Downs for the third round this weekend with the historic NZ Motor Cup up for contention in the final feature race on Sunday.

So far the spotlight has been on two Ferrari Academy drivers, Christchurch’s Marcus Armstrong and Russian Robert Shwartzman, and the Flying Dutchman Richard Verschoor.

The trio have filled the top three places on the points table after two of the five consecutive rounds, but Novalak has sent notice that we have a fourth contender after a lights-to-flag victory in the final race last weekend in Invercargill.

Debuting in his first single seater series, the 17-year-old has flown under the radar, qualifying well in both rounds and quietly gathering points.

Finishing is one of the keys to winning overall and while Novalak could prove to be his major threat, Armstrong is well aware of what it takes to win.

His capturing the Italian Formula 4 Championship and finishing runner up in the German F4 Championship has given the Europe-based teenager the essential experience to pace himself to win the Toyota Racing Series title.

F5000s supporting TRS

Key support class at Hampton Downs will be the thundering F5000 single seater-based NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series featuring New Zealand motor racing super veteran Ken Smith (Lola T332).

The 75-year-old contesting his 60th consecutive season of national level motor racing continues to defy stereotypes associated with ageing, qualifying quickest and winning the first race at the third round of the 2017/18 series at Taupo last weekend.

Gear selection issues slowed him on Sunday, though he still finished second in both races to fellow former series champ Andy Higgins (Lola T332).

Impressing in his debut season in the premier historic single-seater category meanwhile, is 21-year-old Christchurch driver Michael Collins in the ex-Chris Lambden McRae GM1 owned by Alistair Hey.

Paddon confirmed for Rally Otago

The 2018 World Rally Championship gets underway this weekend with the traditional Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo taking place over 25-28 January.

While New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon will be at the rally he will not be competing as his Hyundai Motorsport team has confirmed that he is entered in only seven WRC events this season.

This is a result of the team running three cars instead of four.  Hence Paddon will ‘share’ the season with team mate Dani Sordo who is a tarmac specialist while Paddon’s favourite surface is gravel.

The upside of this is that our domestic rally scene will benefit with Paddon confirming that he will contest five events in his Hyundai i20 AP4+ car in an effort to gain more ‘seat’ time.

First up will be his favourite event, Rally Otago on April 13-15, with more NZ Rally Championship events to be confirmed.

Paddon is scheduled for a day of testing before each WRC round.  He will contest Rally Sweden, Rally Portugal, Rally Italy, Rally Finland, Rally Turkey, Rally GB and his de facto home Rally of Australia.

His 2018 WRC campaign begins in the northern hemisphere on February 15 for the 66th running of Rally Sweden.

Benjamin Carrell is the online editor of nzmotorracing.co.nz 

 – Stuff

Source :Stuff.co.nz

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