Richie finishes second in NZ Motor Cup feature race

Rising single seater race driver sensation Richie Stanaway has finished second in the New Zealand Motor Cup feature race at the new Hampton downs facility in the Toyota Racing Series on the weekend.

Stanaway, who is not yet scheduled to be going to Europe for pre-season testing for this season's German ADAC Formula Masters series because of the severe winter conditions in the Northern Hemisphere, had taken the opportunity to participate in the Toyota Racing Series (TRS) events at Hampton Downs and the New Zealand Grand Prix round at Manfeild this weekend.

"I received a call from Trevor Sheumack's ETEC team on Friday and he presented the opportunity which i thought would be the perfect chance to prepare for my European racing season over our summer"
Stanaway, 18, the 2009 New Zealand Formula Ford champion, is best known for his one-off debut appearance in the TRS round at the Hamilton street circuit last year, when he took pole position and won both races.

In Europe last year, he competed in the final three rounds of the German Formula Masters series and, despite being a stranger to the tracks, scored two pole positions and finished second and third in two of the races.

"I will basically put all my theories into practice before going back to Europe. In terms of results, I'm not really expecting anything other than to do my best."

Reminded that he had won on his debut last year, Stanaway said: "I'm sure we can push for race wins."

With drivers such as Earl Bamber, Mitch Evans and internationals such as current series leader Sten Pentus and Brazilian Lucas Foresti on the grid, Stanaway said it was a very competitive field and had looked forward to testing his skills against them.
Despite joining the TRS championship half way through, Richie qualified in fourth position ahead of the highly anticipated Hampton downs event with very little seat time. Richie continued to impress by setting a charge on the front runners by setting the quickest lap of the race and pressuring the top three drivers. During the race stanaway made a pass on Estonian driver Sten Pentus which ended in a nail biting duel lasting several corners, Finally the position was gained although in the process allowing previous NZ A1GP driver Earl Bamber slip past both drivers, Leaving Richie to finish in fourth position.
"We had plenty of car speed during the race, I found it very hard to set up the passes I needed to make to get to the front, although I enjoyed some great spectacular racing in the process and I enjoyed competing in my first race since October last year"
Race two saw the reverse top six grid, Starting from third on the grid Richie made a pass on Pentus for second place early on in the race into the tight hairpin. Following a Mistake by Pentus at the previous corner, stanaway moved up the inside and later in the corner the pair touched resulting in serious damage to the #47 ETEC Motorsport entry leaving stanaway to limp the car home in sixth position.
The final 20-lap feature race for the weekend saw the NZ Motor Cup up for grabs, previously won by motorsport legends including Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren. From fourth on the grid Richie moved up into third off the start and pressured Evans for the first few laps before finally moving up into second position and setting his sights on Estonian Pentus, Although the driver had already developed a significant lead by the time stanaway had moved into second, Richie then showed an astonishing performance in consistency and speed while closing the gap to the leader, and setting the quickest lap of the race in the process. Richie eventually finished the NZ Motor Cup trophy race in second position to top off a great first weekend in the Toyota Racing Series. Aucklander Mitch Evans tops the standings with 558 points followed by Earl Bamber and Estonian Pentus tied on 533 and Brazilian Foresti on 491.
Stanaway's entry has swelled the grid to 14 cars and more than likely will have an impact on where the championship title is headed.
Richie would like to Thank his sponsors, Tony Richards Toyota, PAN Media+Advertising, Zoagn, Richmond Foods Limited, The Coffee Club Mount Maunganui, Mobile Engineering Rotorua and Stanaway Earth movers LTD,

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Written by: webmaster

Mon March 1st

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Just stay for prize giving after every *club day*and you have the chance of winning a hundred bucks.
All drivers go in the draw.

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(* Permitted events excluded)

Sept 13        Brett K.
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Feb
7        Club day       Jack Derry.
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March
21      Points series R2

April
18      Points series R3

May
23      Points series R4 & AGM

June
27       Fun series R1

July
25      Enduro

August
15      Fun series R2

September
5       Club Champs R1
26      Club Champs R2

November
21      4 way fun day

December
12      Xmas meet

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