Heading into the final fifth round of the 2013 Toyota Racing Series, no fewer than eight drivers had a mathematical chance of winning the championship title: Kiwis Nick Cassidy and Damon Leitch, Austrian Lucas Auer, Brit Alex Lynn, Dutchman Steijn Schothorst, Puerto Rican Felix Serrallés, and Brazilian drivers Pipo Derani, and Bruno Bonifacio.
At that stage Cassidy had the overall points lead despite having only the one race win so far in the series. While closest rivals Lynn and Auer had won five of the 12 races between them, Cassidy had been on the podium seven times and so far finished every race in the top eight.
The New Zealand Grand Prix finale weekend’s qualifying format was different to the previous four, with three qualifying sessions.
Lynn took pole position for the opening race, the Dan Higgins Trophy. Auer set the fastest time during the third ‘Super-Pole’ session. But it was Lynn who took pole for the feature race, the NZ Grand Prix having set the second fastest time in the session combined with his times in the first two sessions.
Cassidy would start alongside Lynn for the NZGP.
It was the second race of the weekend that would decide the title. The top eight drivers from race one were reversed for the race two grid, leaving Serrallés on pole.
It was a battle between Schothorst and Auer that ultimately influenced the outcome of the title. Auer forced Scholthorst off the track, then got passed Bonifacio and Serrallés to take the victory only to be given a post-race 50 second penalty for dangerous driving.
This handed the win to Bonifacio ahead of Cassidy and Italian Ignazio D’Agosto. With Lynn finishing down in 15th, it was enough for Cassidy to secure his second consecutive TRS title.
Cassidy went on to cement his title triumph with a second New Zealand Grand Prix victory in succession, leading every lap of the 35-lap race.
The 2013 TRS stats tell an interesting tale. Cassidy never set the fastest lap in qualifying but set fastest laps in 6/15 races. He won just two races but finished on the podium 10/15 races and always in the top eight.
Lynn, who finished second overall, was on pole three times, set the fastest lap in three races, took three victories and stood on the podium nine times. However, a retirement in the third race at the opening round and a 15th position in race two at the NZGP, meant he fell 112-points shy of Cassidy.
Auer set four fastest qualifying laps, four fastest race laps, took two wins, stood on the podium six times and finished third overall.
Cassidy has often been referred to as the ‘Strategist’, such is his ability to play the long game and always seeming to know what is required to get the job done.
Having two years of TRS experience including winning the 2012 title meant he went into the 2013 season ultimately knowing what it took to win. That experience coupled with his raw speed gave him the advantage required to beat a very competitive field.
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