ABOUT THE SERIES

What is the Toyota Racing Series (TRS)?
The TRS is a single seat formula designed to provide drivers and engineers with experience in preparing and competing in a one design championship, and provides drivers the opportunity to display their capabilities in a relevant and recognised car. The TRS is fully supported by Toyota New Zealand.

How many events and races do TRS compete in each season?
Typically the championship season consists of five or six championship events. At each event there are usually 2 to 4 practice sessions , a qualifying session and 3 races. Practice is held on Thursday and Friday, qualifying Saturday morning, Race 1 Saturday afternoon and Races 2 & 3 on the Sunday.

What format in terms of qualifying and racing does a normal TRS event entail?
In 2011 qualifying consists of one 20 minutes session. The grid for race one is determined by the fastest times from qualifying. Starting positions for race 2 (the feature race) will be determined by the average of each drivers fastest two laps from the qualifying. The grid for race three is based on the finishing positions from race 2 with the top six finishers reversed. 

For Round 4 which includes the New Zealand Grand Prix there are 3 x 15 minute qualifying sessions including a superpole where each TRS Championship competitor completes a maximum of 5 timed flying laps in one unbroken segment. The average of the fastest qualifying time from either session 1 or 2 and the fastest time from session three will determine the grid for race 3 the NZGP.

Do overseas drivers compete in the TRS?
Yes, drivers from Australia, Italy, USA, UK, Iceland, Denmark, Braazil and Estonia have competed in the New Zealand TRS.  Each year the TRS integrates a 3 or 4 round International Championship within the domestic series. Usually the international series is held over January and February contained within a 4-6 week period. TRS in New Zealand provides an excellent opportunity for northern hemisphere drivers to contest a very competitive summer series while the north is in the middle of winter. Having International drivers present also provides local drivers with the opportunity to test themselves against international competition. Under a special agreement [Tasman Visa] Australian drivers may contest all TRS rounds.

Will TRS continue to be supported by Toyota ?
Toyota New Zealand announced a 10 year commitment to the Toyota Racing Series at the launch in the 2004/5 season.

Is TRS a ‘controlled’ formula?
Yes, the formula is designed to test drivers and engineers, not budgets. Basically the only adjustments allowed are suspension and wing angles. The benefits of a controlled formula are reduced competitor cost and a level playing field where the best drivers and teams can excel.

Who manages the series rules and the Championship articles?
Under the formal agreement between Toyota New Zealand Ltd and MotorSport New Zealand Inc TRS owns and manages its Technical Regulations. The Championship Articles (regulations) are agreed upon by both parties prior to each season and MotorSport New Zealand’s appointed race management team runs all the championship events.

Is there television coverage of TRS races?
Yes, our current contract provides for 60 minutes of coverage from each of the championship events. This footage is initially screened on TV3′s Motorsport program and subsequently repeated screenings are on Sky Television. Often the footage is shown in other overseas markets such as Europe on channels such as Motors TV.

Is there a prize pool or reward for winning races and the Series?
The total prize fund is in excess of NZ$100,000 and is reviewed annually to ensure it is awarded effectively and fairly.

ABOUT THE CAR

What is a TRS car?
The TRS car is a modern world class ‘one design’ single seater formula using a state of the art carbon fibre chassis and engine package. The chassis is manufactured by Tatuus in Italy and is of full carbon fibre construction. The engine is a high performance, production base all aluminium, 1.8 litre engine which has been developed to reliably deliver in excess of 215hp.

Will TRS cars and or engine specifications be changed or updated for upcoming seasons and if so who will pay for this?
The car and engine package have been refined over the past 4 seasons to ensure TRS continues to provide a reliable and cost effective package. There are no current plans for updates and if these did occur they would be minor refinements to ensure the category remains attractive.

Do TRS cars now use a bio fuel?
Yes, from the 2007-8 season an ethanol blend bio fuel was introduced. The blend is 85% Ethanol and 15% Petrol. The ethanol used by TRS is a milk by-product from the NZ Dairy industry so there are no issues with food substitution. TRS supplies the fuel to the teams from a certified fuel site at each circuit. As an environmentally responsible company Toyota New Zealand believes that every effort should be made to minimise its carbon ‘footprint’ and this extends to its racing activities. The introduction of bio fuel to TRS has been very successful, providing a significant ‘carbon footprint’ reduction and also the added benefit of an increase in engine power and torque

Is the new TRS biofuel more expensive than petrol?
Yes, this is primarily due to the added cost of specialist blending and the distribution of the fuel to each of the circuits around the country. It was always expected that this positive environmental action would have some additional costs as well as benefits. As a sport we need to be proactive and responsible in the research and development we can provide to the wider community. A TRS car uses approximately 120 litres of fuel over a 3 day race weekend so the cost is a relatively small portion of the overall budget requirement.

COMPETING IN TRS

Why should I do TRS?
TRS provides a driver with a recognised and relevant single seat category and the experience gained in competition will develop both your driving skills and race craft. Because TRS is a ‘one design’ series the racing is very competitive with the top 10 cars often qualifying within a second and this makes TRS one of the most competitive championship categories to be found in the Asia Pacific region and rivals most of the equivelant European based categories. No matter what category a driver moves on to, the TRS experience will prove invaluable.

What is the cost to purchase a TRS chassis?
Used cars can be purchased from existing competitors who are moving on or if required a new car can be purchased subject to availability and price. Because the cars are all the same specification and are very robust and reliable it is not at all necessary to have a new car to win races. As with all racing it is important to ensure the car is well prepared prior to a new season. Used chassis prices vary dependant on condition and maintenance but can range from NZ$70,000 up to a new price of approximately $130,000 (incl GST).

What options are available to get me started in TRS?
Purchase a chassis and lease an engine (run independently or with a team)
Lease a chassis and engine (run independently or with a team)
Approach one of the teams that already have TRS cars available and negotiate an ‘arrive and drive’ package.

Can the TRS car accommodate various sized drivers?
We currently have drivers ranging in size and height right up to 6’3″ (190cm).

Are ‘easy’ terms available to make payments for a car purchase?
Yes, terms are available but this depends on each individual case and is subject to approval by Toyota Financial Services.

What is the cost of a TRS engine?
The engines are owned and maintained by Toyota New Zealand and are leased to competitors, generally on a per season basis. At the end of each season the engines are returned to Toyota and are stripped, rebuilt and then dynamometer tuned to ensure that performance is equal. The engine lease cost is currently $14,500 plus GST.

What happens if there is a problem with the engine?
Spare engines are carried to each of the rounds by Toyota. In the unlikely event of a replacement engine being required a replacement will be immediately available.

Who pays for a replacement engine if required?
If the failure is a result of driver/team error the driver/team will bear the cost of the rebuild and any parts required. If the failure is not attributable to the driver/team then a replacement engine will be supplied to the team at no cost. Engine failures are extremely rare and in fact the championship has been won for the last 3 years using the same engine from the first to the last race without any rebuilding or refreshing being necessary.

What is the situation with tyres? How many tyres are allowed per event and how much do they cost? Can teams with a big budget buy more tyres?
Tyres are subject to control. Except for the New Zealand Grand Prix Round and the first Round of the International Series cars are allocated four new dry tyres to use for official qualifying and the races. Tyre barcodes are recorded and tyres marked to clearly signify which car the tyres are issued to. Some teams may elect not to purchase the four new tyres each weekend but may instead choose to use previously allocated tyres. At the New Zealand Grand Prix and/or the first Round of the International Series the regulations allow for up to four additional dry tyres to be allocated. The tyre rules are contained in the series regulations and are updated each year. The Michelin Dry slick tyres are very consistent in their performance, as an example, the TRS test car often sets very competitive times on tyres that have gone through numerous heat cycles. Wet tyres are not restricted in allocation. Generally teams purchase one set which will usually last for a season.

Can I do private testing when I want?
In order to limit the costs for competitors and maintain a level playing field testing is controlled by the category. If you are a TRS Rookie then additional testing time is made available to you. The amount of testing time provided is always under review so that the needs of the majority of drivers are met.

What spare parts will teams need to carry?
The answer very few. TRS teams are fully supported by the TRS mobile parts operation; teams can purchase parts as and when required. This eliminates the investment in spare parts which may not be required. Teams generally carry a spare nose and front wing assembly so it can be changed quickly at any stage. In many cases this is an assembly that has been repaired previously by the TRS composite repairers.

What garage facilities are available to the TRS teams?
At some circuits permanent garages are available but mostly the teams are housed in marquee style ‘garages’ erected by Toyota. These are a generous size and are provided with flooring. Each garage is provided with flooring and power.

Does TRS engage in driver marketing at events?
Toyota employs a dedicated PR and Media person to provide daily reports at each event and other releases are distributed to ensure the series receives a high profile. A dedicated TV crew at the circuit produces stories of interest for both TV News and the race footage production company.

Does TRS provide teams with technical support?
At every round TRS provides experienced Data and race engineers to support the teams if they experience difficulties in getting their cars onto the track. Teams are encouraged to be self sufficient but in the event of an accident or technical difficulty TRS engineers will assist if at all possible. TRS also provides the services of its authorised carbon fibre repair person if required.

Is it possible to insure a TRS car against accident damage on the track?
Insurance can be purchased from a specialist insurance broker on your behalf by TRS if required. While it is entirely optional it is recommended to include this in your season’s budget.

Is it possible to try a TRS car before I commit to a purchase or lease?
There are scheduled official test days where prospective TRS entrants can sample a TRS car. You can either contact one of our teams directly or make enquiries to the Toyota Racing Category managers. TRS reviews testing options from time to time to ensure the category continues to provide its current and future competitors with a strong equal opportunity category.

ABOUT SPONSORSHIP

What space is available on my car for my sponsor?
The majority of the areas on the car are available to sell to sponsors. The Series sponsors have reserved space allocated; the detail of reserved and available space can be seen in the series articles.

How can I leverage my sponsor’s involvement? Can we have any marketing material (Flags, Banners etc) in our ‘garage’ area?
TRS competitors may dress their pit garages with sponsor’s logos, promotional material and also distribute posters and giveaways from this area. Programmes are produced for the series so advertising can be arranged in these and promotions at the local branch or premises of your sponsor should be easy to arrange.

How can my sponsors take advantage of the TRS weekend?
A key feature of TRS at each event is a dedicated hospitality facility which provides competitors with opportunity to enjoy a quality lunch in a pleasant environment with sponsors and guests. At each event 2 complimentary passes are provided to each competitor and additional passes can be pre-booked for the number of guests you wish to host over the weekend.

Does the TRS promote the events locally?
As TRS is part of the Motorsport New Zealand Tier 1 Championship series the Motorsport Company has primary responsibility for the national and local promotion of events. Toyota will also promote TRS with local events such as evening functions at the local Toyota dealership.