Talkmotorsport caught up with US driver Spike Kohlbecker straight after the second round of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series held at Invercargill’s Teretonga Park last weekend.
Twelve months ago the US driver from St Louis joined the grids of both the South Island and New Zealand Formula 1600 Championships and immediately impressed with his speed and car control.
Fast forward to January 2020 and he is now part of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series racing with the Kiwi Motorsport Team. It is proving to be a major step up in his single seater career. So, how is he faring after six races over two rounds?
“Overall I am getting more comfortable with the car,” Kohlbecker reflected. “By the end of this weekend I was only 6/10ths off some of the leaders, which is a big step for me. I have just got to keep working towards that and gaining time like I did this weekend.
Two 20 and one 25 lap races around the short Teretonga Park circuit saw Kohlbecker finish 17th, 14th and 13th.
“I am happy although it is frustrating being at the back (of the field). I’m here racing against the best in the world and I have made a really big jump and everyone knows that.
The five round series over consecutive weekends provides the drivers’ with an intensive challenge. While you are improving, everyone else around you is also doing the same. The key is to improve quicker than those around you and convert that into positive race results.
“It is challenging but we really wanted a big challenge and that’s what we are getting right now. We are building step by step.”
At the end of the first round Kohlbecker was still getting to grips with the ‘aero’, particularly in the fast turns.
“The aero wash through turn one (at Teretonga) was a big part of being able to pass here. You’ve got to set yourself apart from the car in front in order to get some clean air. It’s a challenge while racing, as these cars are really hard to pass, but then you need to force someone into a mistake.
“This weekend we really worked on driver skill and breaking a few bad habits that come from the 1600 (Formula Ford). My engineer is a really good guy and knows what he is talking about and has helped me break those bad habits and that is where we have been able to gain time this weekend.
“Everyone says that you never stop learning so I’m excited to keep pushing myself to learn more and the challenges ahead.”
The series now heads to the North Island and the Hampton Downs circuit in the North Waikato.
“I tested there in the older TRS car (FT50) so happy with the next round at Hampton Downs and then I have raced at the last two circuits as well (Pukekohe and Manfeild).
But first Kohlbecker needs to rest and reset, get some school work done, catch up on some friends and eat some good Kiwi chocolate!
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