January 27, 2018 Charles Côté 0

Richard Verschoor wins the New Zealand Motor Cup at Hampton Downs

Richard Verschoor is the New Zealand Motor Cup winner after holding off Marcus Armstrong throughout the 25-lap race at Hampton Downs.

The 17-year-old Dutchman started from pole on Sunday and withstood a very strong challenge from the Kiwi on the first corner, with the gap rarely more than half a second between them for the rest of the race. Russian Robert Shwartzman completed the podium.

But it was Verschoor who ended up with his hands on the most famous trophy in New Zealand motorsport, which has been won by legendary drivers such as Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Chris Amon and Keke Rosberg. This year it doubled as the main race of the third round of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series.

TOYOTA RACING SERIES

Richard Verschoor gets his hands on the most famous trophy in local motorsport, the New Zealand Motor Cup.

“It’s amazing,” Verschoor said after the race.

“This was the one I wanted to win.”

Although he has now won four races to Armstrong’s two over the first nine races of the series, Verschoor is philosophical about his chances in the series, given he still trails the Christchurch driver by 70 points after failing to finish the Lady Wigram Trophy race during the first round.

“We’re getting good results. That’s all I can aim for,” he said.

Armstrong said he had very few opportunities to get past his Dutch rival.

“He made a mistake in turn five, but I couldn’t quite make the pass stick,” Armstrong said.

“Maybe I would have been a bit more ambitious if there was more at stake.”

He said he did not intend to change his approach to the Toyota Racing Series at the final two rounds. He now leads second-placed Shwartzman by 41 points.

The Russian trailed home over a second behind the leading pair and despite his runner-up position in the series is looking for more at the fourth round at Taupo next weekend.

“I’m getting annoyed with the seconds and thirds,” said the 18-year-old.

AT A GLANCE

Toyota Racing Series, Round 3, Hampton Downs, Race 2, 20 laps.

1, C Novalak (England)
2, R Shwartzman (Russia)
3, M Armstrong (Christchurch)
4, J-M Correa (USA)
5, R Verschoor (Netherlands)
6, B Leitch (Invercargill)
7, J Pull (England)
8, T Cockerton (Pukekohe)
9, R Harker (Albany)
10, R Yardley (Christchurch)

New Zealand Motor Cup, 25 laps

1, Verschoor
2, Armstrong
3, Shwartzman
4, Correa
5, Pull
6, C Milesi (France)
7, Harker
8, C Das (USA)
9, Novalak
10, Cockerton

Points:

1, Armstrong, 591
2, Shwartzman, 550
3, Verschoor, 521
4, Novalak, 470
5, Correa, 447
6, Pull, 433
7, Cockerton, 331
8, Harker, 327
9, Ming, 317
10, Leitch, 293

Source :Stuff.co.nz

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Charles Côté Motorsports are the ultimate connection between man and machine. My passion has become my job. As chief editor of RNW, I look forwards to sharing my love of racing with you.