Kiwi driver Taylor Cockerton gets late backing to join the Toyota Racing Series
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Taylor Cockerton in action at Hampton Downs, near his home town Pukekohe.
A last minute deal means Taylor Cockerton, the 2017 Formula Masters Champion, will contest the 2018 Castrol Toyota Racing Series (TRS).
Until last Wednesday, Cockerton, 20, had been unable to find full financial backing and was not expected to race.
To stay close to the action, he had organised a role as a mechanic for the MTEC team for the five-round championship, which starts at Ruapuna near Christchurch this weekend.
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Pukekohe motor racer Taylor Cockerton
It was a source of frustration for the Pukekohe driver, who won the New Zealand Formula F1600 championship in 2014-2015, raced in the 2015-2016 Toyota 86 Championship, then the 2016 TRS where he finished ninth overall on debut.
Returning to TRS in 2017, Cockerton improved to seventh.
That campaign was a springboard to the Asian Formula Masters series, which uses 2.0-litre engines in a similar Tatuus chassis. Cockerton fought his way through to outright victory.
Now, he becomes the fifth Kiwi in this year’s Championship. The last time TRS had five local drivers on the grid was 2013.
“I’m really excited to be back for my third assault on TRS coming off the back of my strongest year of racing. After winning the 2017 Formula Masters Series in Asia there is a lot of pressure on me to win. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
“I actually only found out I could race last Wednesday! I was buzzing when the phone call came through.”
A graduate of MotorSport New Zealand’s Elite Motorsport Academy, Cockerton said gathering a budget to compete in TRS had always been difficult for most Kiwis.
Assistance from the independent Kiwi Driver Fund has helped him get to the start of this year’s championship.
“I think Marcus [Armstrong] will be the favourite this year. Given the mileage he had in TRS and overseas in 2017 I think he will be very fast. Likewise, I am sure Brendon [Leitch] will be right up there given his experience and his international racing in 2017.
“But my goal this year is still to be the fastest Kiwi, and I believe we have the package to do so,” he said.
Toyota Racing Series:
Ruapuna, Jan 10-14; Teretonga Jan 18-21; Hampton Downs Jan 25-28; Taupo Feb 1-4; Manfeild Feb 8-11.
– Stuff
Source :Stuff.co.nz
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