Armstrong in control at Toyota Racing Series midpoint

Christchurch teen race driver Marcus Armstrong has taken a 5-point lead in the 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series.

After two southern rounds, Armstrong arrived at this weekend’s Hampton Downs event tied on points with Pukekohe’s Liam Lawson. Though Lawson won yesterday’s 20 lap race – a ‘make-up’ for one postponed due to high winds at Teretonga – he crashed on the final lap while doing so. Armstrong avoided the mayhem but was penalised for passing under a yellow safety flag.

Back in action this morning, Armstrong dominated the 15 minute qualifying session and was the only driver to lap the circuit in less than a minute.

Raoul Hyman landed beside him on the grid, with Lawson relegated to the second row and right behind Armstrong. A clean start put these three in line astern, with Hyman fending off repeated attacks from Lawson.

That battle enabled Armstrong to draw clear and his dominance was transformed into a race win when Dev Gore and Brendon Leitch in mid-field tangled late in the race. Gore went off the track, becoming stranded in a dangerous position and bringing out the safety car while Leitch pitted for a new front wing.

The race ended under the safety car, not the way any race driver wants to win but handing Armstrong the points advantages he deserved.

The six races held to date have been won by Lawson, Armstrong, Leitch and Artem Petrov. Armstrong is the first to win from pole in this year’s championship.

Armstrong is looking forward to more close battles in tomorrow’s two races on the fast flowing curves and wide straights of the ‘European’ style 2.63 km Hampton Downs circuit. Last year he recorded a full set of podiums here, finishing second, third and second.

Statistically, the leading five or six drivers at this point are those who have the best chance to take the crown. Often, the driver who leads at the championship midpoint – tomorrow morning’s race – is also crowned champion two weeks later.

2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series – Round 3 Hampton Downs Race 2 Result

1. Marcus Armstrong (New Zealand)
2. Raoul Hyman (United Kingdom)
3. Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
4. Lucas Auer (Austria)
5. Jackson Walls (Australia)
6. Esteban Muth (Belgium)
7. Cameron Das (United States)
8. Calan Williams (Australia)
9. Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)
10. Petru Florescu (Romania)
11. Thomas Smith (Australia)
12. Parker Locke (USA)
13. Brendon Leitch (New Zealand)
14. Dev Gore (United States)