The 15-year-old is one of the country’s top young karters.  The Year 11 student at Rotorua’s Western Heights High School beat six other finalists on the second day of evaluation at the Manfeild motor racing circuit.

Hayden wins an all-expenses-paid drive in the 2010/11 New Zealand Formula First single-seater ng championship as well as a driving suit from Chicane Clothing and an Arai helmet from New Zealand importer Dold Industries.

Pedersen is the tenth winner of the annual scholarship.

Previous winners include V8 Supercar championship star Shane van Gisbergen and 2009 MTA New Zealand Formula Ford champion Ritchie Stanaway.

Runner-up this year was 15-year-old Waiuku schoolboy Cory Holmes, son of well-known rally driver Stumpy Holmes.

He will receive a fully-paid drive in a round of the Manfeild circuit Winter Formula First series courtesy of Toyota.

Six of the nine previous Speedsport Scholarship winners have gone on to compete in the Toyota Racing Series.

Pedersen has already tested a TRS car, having taken part in an introductory session held at Taupo earlier this year.

This year’s Scholarship attracted 15 young contenders from around New Zealand and Daniel Plummer from Australia.

With Pedersen and Holmes, Plummer was one of the seven finalists. The others were Jaden Hardy from Palmerston North, James Penrose from North Loburn near Rangiora, Andrew Patterson from Gisborne and Andy Schofield from Cambridge.

After receiving his Pedersen said; “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to get to the first race.”

SpeedSport magazine publisher and editor Grant McDonald was impressed with the standard of all the drivers.

“It’s never easy but each year it seems to get harder and this year was no exception. In fact in terms of lap times it was the closest I can recall.”

Previous Winners

Nic Jordan 2001 – 02 
2001 NZ Formula First championship, 2001-02 season, Rookie of the Year.
2002 NZ Formula First championship, 2002-03 season.
2003 Formula 3 Lady Wigram Trophy race – became world’s youngest Formula 3 driver to date.
2004 Australian Formula 3 Championship. Trophy Class Champion, Rookie of the Year.
2007 NZ Toyota Racing Series
2008 NZ Toyota Racing Series

Joshua Hart 2002 – 03 
2002 NZ Formula First championship, 2002-03 season, Rookie of the Year.
2003 NZ Formula First championship, 2002-03 season.
2008 Professional kart racer, Europe
2009 Rotax Max European championship.

Mark Russ 2003 – 04 
2003 NZ Formula First championship, 2003-04 season, Rookie of the Year.
2004 NZ Formula First championship, 2004-05 season. NZ Champion.
2007 Toyota Racing Series
2008 NZ Porsche GT3
2009 NZ Porsche GT3 championship

Shane van Gisbergen 2004 – 05 
2004 NZ Formula First championship, 2004-05 season, Rookie of the Year.
2005 NZ Formula Ford championship, 2005-06 season. NZ Champion.
2006 NZ Toyota Racing Series, 2005-2006 season. International series winner.
2007 V8 Supercars, Australia TKR
2008 V8 Supercars, Australia SBR
2009 V8 Supercars, Australia SBR
2010 V8 Supercars, Australia SBR

Andrew Waite 2005 – 06 
2005 NZ Formula First championship, 2005-06 season, Rookie of the Year.
2006 NZ Formula Ford championship, 2006-07 season.
2007 NZ Formula Ford championship, 2007-08 season.
2009 Races in Australian Formula Ford Championship & NZ Toyota Racing Series
2010 NZ Toyota Racing Series

Alastair Wootten 2006 – 07 
2007 NZ Formula First championship, 2006-07 season, Rookie of the Year.
2008 NZ Formula Ford championship, 2007-08 season.
2009 NZ Toyota Racing Series
2010 NZ Toyota Racing Series

Richie Stanaway 2007 – 08 
2008 NZ Formula First championship, 2007-08 season, Rookie of the Year.
2009 NZ Formula Ford championship, 2008-09 season.�NZ Champion.
2009 NZ Toyota Racing Series, Hamilton street race: pole and both race wins on debut
2009 Australian Formula Ford championship
2010 NZ Toyota Racing Series
2010 ADAC Formula Masters Championship, Germany

Nick Cassidy 2008 – 09 
2008 NZ Formula First championship, 2008-09 season.
2009 NZ Formula Ford championship.
2010 season. 2nd NZ Championship. 6 from 7 features wins (debut season) Speedway Midget Car B-Grade, Western Springs.

Aaron Hodgson 2009 – 10
2009 NZ Formula First championship,
2010 season. 2nd NZ Championship. Rookie of Year

Congratulations to Mitch Evans who was awarded the Steel Trophy at this years Motorsport New Zealand Awards last Saturday.  Mitch was also the 2010 Toyota Racing Series Champion so received the prestigious Butcher Cup and Single Seater Gold Star.  At 15 years of age Mitch is the youngest winner of the championship.

THE STEEL TROPHY

The Trophy was inaugurated in 1983 and acknowledges the efforts of a junior (under 21) driver who competes at least at National level and who displays dedication, skill and a level of professionalism in their driving aiming to progress to the upper echelons of the sport. Recipients shall show a sportsmanlike attitude to all competitors and officials.

About the Trainathon…

Alastair Wootten and Jono Lester have recruited three new participants, created a brand identity for the event and put together a plan to really ramp up the promotion and awareness of the event in conjunction with the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health (MISH) and World Vision.

The Trainathon concept is simple. The World Vision 40 Hour Famine has traditionally been about giving up something for 40 hours and raising money for those living in poverty.

When Jono and Alastair came up with the Trainathon idea on a lazy Sunday afternoon in front of the TV, it incorporated a combination of efforts. Not only would the team give up their weekend, their sleep, their bodies and a heck of a lot of time in the build up…they would then exert themselves for 40 hours, non-stop, at the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health in Albany.

There was no sharing or relaying in the Trainathon – instead Jono, Alastair and 2009 participant Michael Burdett ran, cross-trained, powerwalked, cycled, weight trained, swam, basketballed, boxed, danced and footballed themselves to exhaustion from 08:00pm on
Friday May 24th, to 12-noon on Sunday the 26th.

The trio raised over $4000 for World Vision and the 40 Hour Famine in the process.

By starting early, they reckon they can reach their goal of raising $10,000 for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine.

This year’s participants are Jono Lester and Alastair Wootten (from the 2009 Trainathon), international single seater driver Richie Stanaway, Formula First racer Andrew Vincent and Sam Robinson from the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup.

Each are committed to ensuring the 2010 New Zealand Motorsport Trainathon is a big success.

http://www.trainathon.co.nz

At mid-afternoon four of the current TRS drivers took to the track – 2010 Series Champion Mitch Evans, Alastair Wootten, Andrew Waite and Daniel Jilesen and they were joined by the TRS 2 seater driven by Sam MacNeill , the F5000 of Ken Smith and Formula Atlantic driven by Andrew Higgins to showcase New Zealand’s single seater history over the past 30 years.

“It was an opportunity to show a different audience what TRS is all about,” said Barrie Thomlinson. “The crowd was estimated to be over 20,000 and there appeared to be a good mix of rally enthusiasts as well as family groups. It certainly showed the potential for Hampton Downs to draw a big crowd for a well promoted event.”

“Our race at Hampton Downs in early February was the first FIA International single seater race at the new track and this proved how good our cars perform at this fantastic facility. Hampton Downs will continue to play a big part in the long term development of TRS so we were pleased to be invited for this demonstration in front of the World Rally Championship teams, drivers and overseas media. Congratulations to the Rally management team, they showed innovation in their planning and promotion of the event.”

Follow the link below to view images from Saturday’s event…

http://www.toyotaracing.co.nz/multimedia

“We are thrilled to be asked to continue to host the NZ Grand Prix, the country’s most illustrious domestic motorsport event, through to 2014 and we know our supporters, friends and all motorsport fans will share that joy,” commented Manfeild Park Trust chairman Ben Vanderkolk today.

“Since 2008 we have been entrusted with a unique sporting event, a spectacular contest that celebrates our rich motor sport heritage and has become a major drawcard – a national championship with international competition.”

MotorSport New Zealand’s decision was recognition of the region’s commitment to making the race weekend a true community celebration of a heritage event. One that everyone in the region would take pride in and want to be involved with.

“Motorsport has given us a clear direction as to its expectations – we hope to exceed them – and we are well poised to partner the sport in continuing to ensure the rightful place of the NZGP in the national sporting calendar,” Mr Vanderkolk said.

Palmerston North-headquartered Toyota New Zealand, whose Toyota Racing Series competes for the big prize, and MotorSport New Zealand also joined in congratulating Manfeild.

“The NZGP is an iconic event on the motorsport calendar, one of only two Grand Prix awarded outside Formula 1 by the FIA,” noted MotorSport New Zealand president Steven Kennedy.

“The NZGP is a MotorSport New Zealand title which we are privileged to hold and which is entrusted by the sport to Manfeild for a further three years.”

Toyota NZ general manager (finance), John Fowke, would have been extremely surprised if the grand prix wasn’t at Manfeild – it was his company’s ‘home circuit’ in New Zealand and the perfect location.

“We’re extremely pleased. It’s a tribute to the hard work that has been put in within the Manawatu community and by Manfeild circuit in particular.

“This year’s race provided a fitting finale to our international series. The NZGP is a huge drawcard to attract overseas’ drivers, who come here to hone their skills against New Zealand’s best.”

Manfeild Park Trust had made no secret of its enthusiasm for staging the race, which has the potential to pump millions of dollars into the regional economy.

The Trust’s bid to continue the host rights at the Feilding circuit was wholly supported by Toyota New Zealand, the Palmerston North City Council and Manawatu District Council.

Endorsement by Wellington’s mayor, Kerry Prendergast, reinforced the race’s standing within the lower North Island.

TRS manager Barrie Thomlinson also described Manfeild as the perfect host, commenting last year: “The GP at Manfeild feels like a Grand Prix should.”

“This level of support has been a huge boost and we are grateful for it,” Mr Vanderkolk said.

Manfeild’s administration had also worked tirelessly to help ensure the NZGP was a landmark event for the region.

Promotion of the 2010 race weekend of February 13-14 included a billboard campaign in the lower North Island and a dinner at Manfeild stadium.

Manfeild also worked in conjunction with Southward car museum to reunite a rare and valuable Maserati 250F car with its most famous driver, motorsport legend and former GP winner Chris Amon, a crowd-pulling coup that attracted international media attention.

“Our chief executive, Heather Verry, and our staff have responded in a determined and creative way to meet the demands of a truly international motorsport event.”

This year, too, Manfeild Stadium was employed as an indoor pit paddock, an innovation warmly welcomed by competitors and unique to New Zealand, if not the southern hemisphere.

“ Competitors, the public, the sponsors and the investors in the sport loved it.”

Mr Vanderkolk reminded that while big motorsport events were integral to Manfeild’s well-being, they are only one element of the broader vision.

“What we deliver in international motor sport, we can deliver in the international event market in the equestrian and agri-business sectors.”

Developing the Manfeild vision required time and patience, but it was already reaping reward, with more benefits to come.

“The regional investment in Manfeild Park has been prudently developed with a robust strategy and clear vision.

“There has been a lead time in pitching for and attracting events, but the growth in the Manfeild Park event calendar reflects its multi-functional capability and its versatility.”

For further information:
Heather Verry,
Chief executive officer,
Manfeild Park Trust.
027 4829 422.
ceo@manfeild.co.nz

The Motorsport Association of New Zealand Executive, in 1992, decided that this premier event should be open to other permanent circuits in New Zealand to host, hence the later years showing Manfeild and Ruapuna.

During the 1996 to 1998 period there was no contest for this event due to the demise of a New Zealand based premier single seater class.

However, in November 1998, in conjunction with MotorRace New Zealand Ltd, arrangements were concluded to restructure the Grand Prix based on a field of the Australian Formula Holden class thereby reintroducing the premier open wheel single seater class and providing the extra progression stage for the competitors. With the demise of Formula Holden as a NZ Championship at the conclusion of the 2000/01 season the title was allocated to the Formula Ford class with which it remained for four seasons.

The introduction of the Toyota Racing Series saw the title re-allocated in the 2005/06 season to this NZ Championship.

GRAND PRIX WINNERS

OHAKEA CIRCUIT
1950 – John McMillan (NZ) – Jackson Special

ARDMORE CIRCUIT
1954 – Stan Jones (Aust) – Maybach Special
1955 – Prince B. Bira (Thailand) – Maserati
1956 – Stirling Moss (GB) – 250F Maserati
1957 – Reg Parnell (GB) – 3.5L Ferrari
1958 – Jack Brabham (Aust) – Cooper 2L
1959 – Stirling Moss (GB) – Cooper 2.5L
1960 – Jack Brabham (Aust) – Cooper 2.5L
1961 – Jack Brabham (Aust) – Cooper 2.5L
1962 – Stirling Moss (GB) – Lotus 2.5L

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT
1963 – John Surtees (GB) – Lola 2.7L
1964 – Bruce McLaren (NZ) – Cooper 2.5L
1965 – Graham Hill (GB) – Brabham 2.5L
1966 – Graham Hill (GB) – BRM 2 L
1967 – Jackie Stewart (GB) – BRM 2.2L
1968 – Chris Amon (NZ) – Ferrari 2.4L
1969 – Chris Amon (NZ) – Ferrari 2.4L
1970 – Frank Matich (Aust) – McLaren M10A 5L
1971 – Niel Allen (Aust) – McLaren M10B 5L
1972 – Frank Gardner (Aust) – Lola T300 5L
1973 – John McCormack (Aust) – Elfin 5L

WIGRAM AIRFIELD
1974 – John McCormack (Aust) – Elfin 5L

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT
1975 – Warwick Brown (Aust) – Lola TA332
1976 – Ken Smith (NZ) – Lola T332
1977 – Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Chevron B34
1978 – Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Chevron B34
1979 – Teo Fabi (Italy) – March 79
1980 – Steve Millen (NZ) – Ralt RT1
1981 – Dave McMillan (NZ) – Ralt RT1
1982 – Roberto Moreno (Brazil) – Ralt RT4
1983 – David Oxton (NZ) – Ralt RT4
1984 – Davy Jones (USA) – Ralt RT4
1985 – Ross Cheever (USA) – Ralt RT4
1986 – Ross Cheever (USA) – Ralt RT4
1987 – Davy Jones (USA) – Ralt RT4
1988 – Paul Radisich (NZ) – Ralt RT4
1989 – Dean Hall (USA) – Swift/Cosworth
1990 – Ken Smith (NZ) – Swift/Cosworth
1991 – Craig Baird (NZ) – Swift/Toyota

MANFEILD CIRCUIT
1992 – Craig Baird (NZ) – Reynard 92H
1993 – Craig Baird (NZ) – Reynard 92H
1994 – Greg Murphy (NZ) – Reynard 90D
1995 – Brady Kennett (NZ) – Reynard 91D

RUAPUNA PARK
1998 – Simon Wills (NZ) – Reynard 94D
1999 – Simon Wills (NZ) – Reynard 94D

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT
2000 – Andy Booth (NZ) – Reynard 94D

TERETONGA PARK
2002 – Fabian Coulthard (NZ) – Van Diemen Stealth RF94
2003 – Jonathan Reid (NZ) – Van Diemen Stealth RF94
2004 – Ken Smith (NZ) – Van Diemen Evo2
2005 – Simon Gamble (NZ) – Spectrum 010
2006 – Hamad Al Fardan (Bahrain) – Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ
2007 – Daniel Gaunt (NZ) – Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ

MANFEILD CIRCUIT
2008 – Andy Knight (NZ) – Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ
2009 – Daniel Gaunt (NZ) – Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ

The modern Toyota Racing Series (TRS), New Zealand’s premier single-seater category, is a school holiday highlight at the Formula One™ – The Great Design Race exhibition and the Series will show at Te Papa from September 29 through until October 7.

The international exhibition, which began at Te Papa in July and runs until November 1, aims to provide the public with a greater understanding of Formula One and single-seater racing.

New Zealand’s successful TRS single-seater class provides the premier launching pad for young drivers in New Zealand who aspire to higher International single-seater championships like A1 Grand Prix; and ultimately Formula One.

TRS cars are the fastest racing cars utilising current technology in New Zealand. The cars feature an Italian-sourced European specification carbon fibre chassis and are powered by an 1800cc Toyota production engine. Running on E85 bio fuel, TRS cars have a top speed of 265kph. 

TRS graduates who have continued on to international success include current Red Bull Junior Brendon Hartley, A1GP Team NZ’s Earl Bamber, Indy Pro Series Champion Wade Cunningham and V8 Supercar driver Shane Van Gisbergen.

The TRS display at Te Papa will include a ‘two-seater’ TRS demonstration car, the TRS race car transporter and a trackside pit setup. There will be floor talks from experts including TRS Category Manager Barrie Thomlinson and motorsport commentator Bob McMurray.  Children can compete in TRS colouring competitions and enjoy photo opportunities behind the wheel of a TRS race car.

The Toyota series is committed to nurturing the next generation of top level racing talent and is the only class in New Zealand motorsport that offers aspiring racers vital experience with wings, slicks and composite technologies.

Toyota New Zealand has played an integral role in New Zealand’s summer series for the last five years. The 2010 season begins with three International rounds next January, including the ultimate single-seater event, the New Zealand Grand Prix, at Manfeild near Palmerston North from the 12^th to the 14^th of February.

The New Zealand Grand Prix is one of only two FIA-sanctioned Grand Prix race events outside of Formula One.

A recent evaluation of five top young kart racers at the Manfeild circuit was intended to select one driver for the inaugural Toyota Fast Track Award. However, the high standard achieved by all the drivers has resulted in both Alex Geary from New Plymouth and Graeme Smyth from Auckland being awarded a race in New Zealand’s premier single seater series.

Geary, aged 17, is the National 100cc Yamaha Lights Champion and Smyth, aged 18, is the National KZ2 Champion. The teenagers won their titles at the Kartsport New Zealand National Championships held in Hamilton during the Easter weekend.

They were selected for the evaluation along with Richard Moore, the 18 year old National Open Champion and 17 year olds Tim Vickers from Auckland and Tyler Richardson from Morrinsville, because of their performances at the Toyota New Zealand backed Nationals.

All five drivers were invited to drive a FT40L car at Manfeild – the venue for the New Zealand Grand Prix round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series.

“None of the drivers had driven in a wings and slicks single seater previously, and two of the young drivers hadn’t driven a racing car on a circuit at all,” said TRS co-ordinator Barrie Thomlinson.

“All of the drivers impressed with their mature approach and apart from the odd spin, the evaluation at Manfeild went smoothly.”

Thomlinson said the final selection was made particularly difficult because all five drivers far exceeded initial expectations and this made choosing the winner a difficult task.

“Two drivers’ performance and potential stood out on the day. Even after long deliberation we weren’t able to separate Alex and Graeme, so decided to select them both for a Toyota Fast Track Award,” said Thomlinson.

During the Manfeild evaluation each driver had two 30 minute sessions in one of the new FT40L cars completing approximately 30 laps. Driver coaching was provided by experienced TRS driver Sam McNeill from Palmerston North and race engineer Paul Feist.

Feist has worked with Carlin Motorsport in European Formula 3 and his experience here and overseas meant he was able to decode the data and explain the meaning of it to the young drivers. This enables them to analyse their performance and driving style as they experienced slick tyres and wing aerodynamics for the first time.

“The first session consisted of a five lap familiarisation run to learn the gearbox and cockpit controls. They then had a 10 lap run to settle into the car before a discussion with the engineer so they could begin to understand the data and concentrate on the areas which would yield improvement,” said Thomlinson.

“New drivers need time to experience the later braking and learn that a harder initial application of the brake pedal is needed in a wings and slicks racing car.”

“The second runs then allowed the drivers to settle into a faster pace and improve their lap speed before a stop for further instruction and a final evaluation run.”

Thomlinson said it was a challenging test for the karting graduates and he was genuinely impressed by the speed with which they made the transition to this car.

For Geary and Smyth the TRS Fast Track Award will provide an ‘arrive and drive’ race weekend in a TRS Lites car at a round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series.

TRS Lites is a new ‘class-within-a-class’ created to ease the transition from karts or other racing categories to the TRS. The FT40L car uses the same carbon-fibre chassis and 1.8-litre Toyota engine as the FT40 championship car but has a detuned engine yielding 111kW compared to the 166kW of the cars that compete in the championship series.

The test day for the kart racers was a joint initiative between KartSport New Zealand and Palmerston North-based Toyota New Zealand.

In an attempt to raise funding and awareness for children living in poverty, Lester, Wootten and Burdett began fitness training at the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health at 08:00pm on Friday May 22.

In a regime that included a plethora of exercises from the generic cycling, jogging, swimming, weight training, core and stretching to rock climbing, basketball, boxing, dance and specialist training with a number of New Zealand’s Olympic athletes, the trio powered through two gruelling days and nights to finish in the company of family, friends and supporters at 12:00pm noon on Sunday May 24 – a total of 40 hours later.

In doing so, they raised thousands of dollars for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine through online donations, sponsorship, donation boxes and charity auctions on the TradeMe website.

Given that a $1000 dollar donation to the 40 Hour Famine will provide six months of emergency feeding for 410 children and 240 mothers suffering from malnutrition, the impact made by the efforts of the Trainathon are well recognised by the World Vision Organisation.

“World Vision is grateful for the support of the 40 hour Trainathon team. Their enduring challenge produced great results – not only were they successful in setting a world record, but children living in poverty overseas will have hope through the funds they raised,” said Famine representative Kelly Zander.

The Millennium Institute of Sport & Health – New Zealand’s world class sports training facility – provided its extensive facilities, carded Olympic athletes and hands-on support to the Trainathon, including staff on hand around the clock to ensure the Trainathon ran smoothly.

“The boys did an amazing job and trained hard even at the point of exhaustion. All I can say is thank goodness it wasn’t a Danceathon!” commented MISH Gym Assistant Tracey Lambrechs, referring to the 03:00am Dance Class Lester, Wootten and Burdett took in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The trio also set a world record for ‘The World’s Longest Fitness Training Session’, which is to be officially confirmed and recognised in the coming weeks.

“This was most certainly the toughest thing each of us has ever done,” Lester said.

“The workload was bearable so long as we made sure none of us pushed too hard early on at risk of burning out, but 40 hours! It’s a hell of a long time.”

“It was truly exhausting just staying awake for 40 hours,” Wootten commented.

“But to put our bodies through the immense strain of constant exercise as well was a tremendous challenge.”

“We did it though!” Burdett mused.

“There were highs and lows throughout, and we’d be lying if after 12 hours we honestly believed we could complete the task, but it came off and it’s fair to say we rested easy on Sunday night!”

More information on the Trainathon including press information and video reviews are available on the official Trainathon website – www.trainathon.co.nz

Interested donators can still contribute to the cause at www.famine.org.nz/trainathon or by bidding on one of the remaining charity auctions on TradeMe by searching ‘Trainathon’.

The valued support of the Trainathon’s Official sponsors must also be recognised, with a big thank you going out to Toyota New Zealand and the Toyota Racing Series, Blackwoods Paykels and JBS Tools, World Vision New Zealand, the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health, Adidas, Webdesign, Horleys Nutrition, BRAKE Cafe, Dr. Paul Smedley, Reef Sports, Radio Hauraki, Sign Net, AIMO Print and B&B Holdings & The Sign Factory; Just Juice and Sanitarium.

Plans are already underway for another New Zealand Motorsport famine event for next year’s World Vision 40 Hour Famine, of which Jono Lester, Alastair Wootten and Michael Burdett are sure to be involved.

ENDS

The 2009 New Zealand Motorsport Trainathon

Online Links:
Official Website | www.trainathon.co.nz
40 Hour Famine Donation | www.famine.org.nz/trainathon
TradeMe Charity Auctions | Click Here
YouTube Videos | www.youtube.com/trainathon40
Twitter Updates | www.twitter.com/trainathon
Facebook Fan Page | Click Here

Direct contacts:
Jono Lester | T: +6421 270 1080 | E: jono@jonolester.com
Alastair Wootten | T: +6421 253 8394 | E: fitnessbydesign@live.com
Michael Burdett | T: +6421 065 7429 | E: mikeburdett@hotmail.com

The New Zealand Motorsport Trainathon is proudly supported by Toyota New Zealand and the Toyota Racing Series, Blackwoods Paykels and JBS Tools, World Vision New Zealand, the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health, Adidas, Webdesign, Horleys Nutrition, BRAKE Cafe, Dr. Paul Smedley, Reef Sports, Radio Hauraki, Sign Net, AIMO Print and B&B Holdings & The Sign Factory, Just Juice and Sanitarium.

That’s the thinking that will see leading competitors from the cut and thrust world of kart sport at Manfeild on Friday.

The teenaged talents are here for a test session to select a driver to race a Toyota Racing Series’ Lites car at a round of next summer’s championship.

They achieved the chance to chase the Toyota Fast Track Award through their stellar performances at the TRS-backed national kart sprint championships at Hamilton at Easter.

The award contenders are: Richard Moore, 18, Auckland (national open champion); Alex Geary, 17, New Plymouth (national Yamaha light champion); Graeme Smyth, 18, Auckland (national KZ2 champion); Tim Vickers, 17, Auckland; Tyler Richardson, 17, Morrinsville.

Manfeild Park Trust chief executive Heather Verry said it was fitting the finalists should come here.

“Manfeild is considered the home of the TRS class and is also the present host track for the category’s ultimate event, the New Zealand Grand Prix.

“There’s a lot of history here. When they’re driving a TRS car at Manfeild, they are literally driving in the wheel tracks of the country’s best drivers, competing for the country’s best motorsport prize.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for these young talents of motorsport.”

Many of racing’s brightest and best started out in karts, Mrs Verry reminded, including Palmerston North’s Brendon Hartley, a ’son of Manfeild’ recently taken on as the official test driver for the Red Bull and Toro Rosso Formula One teams.

Others include Earl Bamber, this season’s A1GP driver, and two stars of the United States’ motorsport scene, Scott Dixon and Wade Cunningham.

“Kiwis are at the top of the motorsport world, and I’m sure this is an impetus for up-and-comers to succeed,” Mrs Verry said.

“The Monaco Formula One Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 were both held on Monday, and we had Brendon at one, and Scott competing at the other, while Wade raced in the Indy Lights support event at Indy.”

TRS Lites is a new ‘class-within-a-class’ created to ease the transition from karts or other racing categories to TRS.

The cars use the same carbon-fibre chassis and 1.8 litre Toyota engine but have less power – 111kW compared to the 166kW of the cars that compete in the main series.

The test day is a joint initiative between KartSport New Zealand and Palmerston North-based Toyota New Zealand.

Editors: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend this session. Please come to the race circuit, park appropriately and register at the TRS motorhome.

The awards programme drive schedule comprises a series of timed sessions during the day, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. The programme is run as part of a general test day, so anyone entering the pits must wear closed footwear. Anyone seeking infield access must first sign an indemnity.

For further information:
Heather Verry,
Chief executive officer,
Manfeild Park Trust.
027 4829 422. ceo@manfeild.co.nz

Barrie Thomlinson,
Toyota Racing Series coordinator,
021 984639.