For the second time running, Toyota Racing engaged the five round format for 2011 which saw an increase of international drivers heading down under. Returning to defend his title was Kiwi Mitch Evans who was joined at Giles Motorsport by the up and coming Nick Cassidy.
Russian Red Bull Junior and future F1 driver Daniil Kvyat was joined by eight other internationals including Brits Josh Hill, the son of F1 World Champion Damon Hill, and Alex Lynn, Aussies Nick Foster, Scott Pye and Jordan Skinner and Kotaro Sakurai from Japan.
Other Kiwi drivers on the grid included Jamie McNee, Damon Leitch, Alastair Wootten and NZ Grand Prix appearances by Earl Bamber and Ken Smith.
Teretonga Park in Invercargill hosted the opening round (15-16 January) followed by Timaru International Raceway (22-23 Jan), Hampton Downs (5-6 Feb), Manfeild Park in Feilding (12-13 Feb) then Taupo Motorsport Park (12-13 March).
Evans always looked like taking the title again. Other than a retirement in the opening race of the final round at Taupo, he finished on the podium in every race with seven wins from 15 starts.
He became the youngest winner of the NZ Grand Prix and clinched the 2011 title at the penultimate round. Scott Pye had been his closest rival but elected not to attend the final meeting of the season at Taupo due to testing commitments in Europe.
Hence he fell to fourth in the standings allowing Nick Cassidy and Jamie McNee overhaul Pye’s points tally.
2011 TRS Points Table (top 14)
1 Mitch Evans 973
2 Nick Cassidy R 805
3 Jamie McNee 675
4 Scott Pye 628
5 Daniil Kvyat R 600
6 Alastair Wootten 584
7 Ivan Lukashevich 531
8 Damon Leitch R 517
9 Alex Lynn 514
10 Nick Foster R 510
11 Jordan Skinner R 410
12 Mario Farnbacher R 397
13 Josh Hill R 368
14 Kotaro Sakurai R 325
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