Heading to the third round of the 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series this weekend at Hampton Downs, it has already turned into a Kiwi duel between the up and coming rookie Liam Lawson and third-time returning TRS driver Marcus Armstrong. Both are sitting on 113 points each at the top of the points table, but it is Lawson who has two race wins to Armstrong’s one. Armstrong has finished on the podium in all four races so far, giving him the points to be equal with Lawson.
The opening round saw a ‘surprised’ Lawson win two races. The sixteen-year-old had not expected to win two races at the opening round. Armstrong had been quicker in two of the three practice sessions and both qualifying sessions. But it was the final race of the weekend when Lawson had all the pace and made a stunning pace on Armstrong that showed that he was a title contender. (See ‘That Pass’)
So here are the comparative practice and qualifying times from Highlands:
Round 1 – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell
Practice 1
4th Liam Lawson:1:29.543
5th Marcus Armstrong 1:29.705
Practice 2
1st Marcus Armstrong 1:28.926
2nd Liam Lawson 1:29.116
Practice 3
2nd Armstrong 1:29.298
4th Lawson 1:29.570
Qualifying 1
1st Armstrong 1:28.252
3rd Lawson 1:28.556
Qualifying 2
2nd Armstrong 1:28.118
3rd Lawson 1:28.362
Heading to the second round at Teretonga Park in Invercargill, Armstrong needed to respond to Lawson’s aggressive title attack at Highlands. It initially looked as though it was starting to go Lawson’s way when he put his car on pole for the first race. Armstrong is seasoned enough to know how to take advantage of opportunities and this he did. Lawson bogged down on the line when the lights went out and Armstrong took off. It was the perfect repsonse to what happened in round one.
Lawson was able to salvage third into the first corner and eventually moved up to second behind Armstrong. From there he kept attacking, particularly when a safety car period brought the field together.
Lawson had in practice been determining the grip levels on the outside of turns one and two. This is where he tried to go round the outside of Armstrong who remained firm, in control and in front to the chequered flag.
Unfortunately strong winds on Sunday brought about a cancellation to TRS racing so we will see the second race of round two take place this Friday at the third round at Hampton Downs, in the North Waikato. (See Next Marcus vs Liam battle free on Friday at Hampton Downs)
Round 2 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Practice 1
1st Lawson 53.620
2nd Armstrong 53.686
Practice 2
1st Armstrong 53.617
2nd Lawson 53.645
Practice 3
3rd Armstrong 54.151
9th Lawson 54.346
Qualifying 1
1st Lawson 1:00.339
2nd Armstrong 1:00.458
While race wins can propel a driver into the headlines, don’t underestimate Armstrong’s ability to play the long game, concentrating on collecting points. It is his third season in TRS. Wins, points or podiums, we are in for one of the best duels TRS has given us. Enjoy the ride!
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