It’s shaping up to be a big summer for last year’s Formula Open (FONZ) Series Champion Josh Donohue. Defending his FONZ title is stage one. To do that he’ll be stepping into a new TRS FT-50 car prepared and supported by Vodafone Automotive Racing.
Stage two is a shot at the New Zealand Grand Prix. In the build up to that, Donohue will be completing a training day with the Hampton Downs Academy along with gaining valuable seat time with a few rounds of the FONZ series running before event in February.
It’s been a variety of motorsport disciplines for the 19-year-old from Wellington, that has led to him aiming for the pinnacle of New Zealand motorsport. Having come from a kartsport background through to street sprints and hill climbs and onto the BMW Race Drive Series where he won the scholarship drive. Then, most recently landing with the Tim O’Connor run Vodafone Automotive Team to race in the ex TRS FT-40 car in the FONZ series.
“It hasn’t been the typical route” says Donohue. “I didn’t do Formula Vee or Formula Ford along the way, not that I didn’t want to, it’s just not the way some of the opportunities I’ve had fell into place.
“You have to take every opportunity you can in this game. Motorsport is tough and expensive and you have to work hard but that builds resilience and it’s rewarding when you get it all right.
“I’m excited for the season ahead. Whilst the full TRS series would’ve been great, the fact that we can still (hopefully) do a one off round is still extremely exciting.
“I’ve got a FONZ title to defend and the grid is looking a lot tougher this time round”.
Donohue will be up against the likes of Tom Alexander, Kenny Smith and Sam MacNeill in ex TRS cars along with the very fast Swifts of Gary Rush and James Watson.
Donohue can’t wait for the challenge. “I’m excited to be driving again for Tim O’Connor and his Vodafone Automotive Racing team. Last year we ran the FT-40 chassis but this year I’m stepping up into the FT-50. A huge thanks to Tim and Vodafone Automotive for making that happen
“Whilst the FONZ series is locked in I’ve got a lot of work to do between now and February to make the NZGP happen. I’ve started Josh Donohue Motorsport Limited and I’ve got sponsors and supporters to find to make the dream of sitting on the grid in an FT-60 come true.”
Donohue starts his FONZ title defence mid-November at the MG Classic at Manfeild. The series then heads down South to the Skope Classic in Christchurch and Teretonga Park, Invercargill, in February.
The NZGP weekend of February 12th & 13th sits right in the middle of the FONZ South Island events making it a busy month of wings and slicks motorsport.
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