Author Profile

Mark Baker has been working in automotive PR and communications for more than two decades. For much longer than that he has been a motorsport journalist, photographer and competitor, witness to most of the most exciting and significant motorsport trends and events of the mid-late 20th Century. His earliest memories of motorsport were trips to races at Ohakea in the early 1960s, and later of annual summer pilgrimages to watch Shellsport racers and Mini 7s at Bay Park and winter sorties into forests around Kawerau and Rotorua to see the likes of Russell Brookes, Ari Vatanen and Mike Marshall ply their trade in group 4 Escorts. Together with Murray Taylor and TV producer/director Dave Hedge he has been responsible for helping to build New Zealand’s unique Toyota Racing Series into a globally recognized event brand under category managers Barrie and Louise Thomlinson. Now working for a variety of automotive and mainstream commercial clients, Mark has a unique perspective on recent motor racing history and the future career paths of our best and brightest young racers.

Latest Posts:
Category: Single Seater | Written by:

Kiwi Armstrong is fastest man at Highlands Park

January 12, 2019
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As the free practice day for the opening round of the 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series ended, Marcus Armstrong set…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

TRS 2019: taking the high road

January 8, 2019
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Burned-dry grass and shimmering heat haze greet the racers arriving for an opening event that brings international motor racing to…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Look back in history Sunday: Lance Stroll wins Lady Wigram Trophy (2015)

January 6, 2019
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This week we look back to 2015 and the opening round of the Toyota Racing Series at the Mike Pero…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Formula Fizzer?

January 4, 2019 / 5 comments
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Is this how it ends, not with a bang but with a whimper? It began with a hiss and a…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Look back in history: Daniil Kvyat wins Dan Higgins Trophy (2011)

December 31, 2018
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Little was known about current Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat when he appeared on the grid for the 2011 Toyota…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Look back in history: Sten Pentus winning the Motor Cup (2010)

December 30, 2018
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Estonian racing driver Sten Pentus took part in the 2010 Toyota Racing Series, finishing fourth overall even after missing the…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Look back in History: Buller wins in Timaru (2009)

December 28, 2018
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Two British drivers came over to NZ compete in the 2008/09 Toyota Racing Series (3/5 rounds).  William Buller and Will…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

Look back in history Sunday: 2013 Toyota Racing Series at Timaru

December 23, 2018
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This week we look back to the second round of the 2013 Toyota Racing Series held at the Timaru International…
Category: Featured, International, Single Seater, V8 | Written by:

A top five for 2018. Let’s do this!

December 21, 2018
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So a top five drivers for 2018. My turn to stick my head on the chopping block, I do hope…
Category: Featured, Single Seater | Written by:

New Asian Formula 3 series puts pressure on TRS

December 19, 2018
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The pressure is on at New Zealand’s premier single-seater category ahead of its five week, 15 race 2019 season with…