Look back in history Sunday: Mitch Cunningham, 2008/09 TRS Champion

The 2008/09 Toyota Racing Series was the start of a couple of lean years and dwindling grids. Albeit they were competitive but this was to be for the next couple of seasons until Toyota Racing adopted the five consecutive weekend format that we have now and has proved very successful.

Auckland driver Mitch Cunningham won the series from Sam MacNeill and future Supercars driver Australian Scott Pye.

“It seems like quite a while ago,” reflected Mitch Cunningham. “They weren’t an easy car to drive with the single mono spring in the front. They moved around quite a bit. I enjoyed driving them as they were light and agile. I remember that we broke a lot of (front) wings that season.”

The international drivers starting coming that summer with Australian Nathan Antunes competing in the first three rounds and Scott Pye competing in all six rounds. Brits William Buller and Will Stevens came for the three international rounds and were joined by Chinese driver Adderly Fong.

The fourth round was in support of the New Zealand A1GP round at Taupo and saw NZV8 champion John McIntrye compete in a one-off deal. Also there was 2007/08 champion Andy Knight.

Earl Bamber, Andre Waite, Ken Smith and Daniel Gaunt joined the grid for the NZ Grand Prix round at Manfeild. Gaunt proved that he was still the man to beat, winning the GP but it was Earl Bamber who won the round.

A seventh and non-championship round took place at the V8 Supercars Hamilton Street race in April. Having won the 2008/09 NZ Formula Ford Championship, Richie Stanway made a one-off appearance in TRS and won both races.

But it was Cunningham who clinched the title in the last points scoring round at Pukekohe. He took the title despite a high speed spin in one race, then capped his weekend with victory in the 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup.

Cunningham’s memorable weekend began with pole position in qualifying for all three races and a second place in Saturday’s 14-lap sprint race behind a charging Michael Burdett. Championship rival Sam MacNeill was third, Cunningham also taking fastest lap of the race. Second on Saturday stretched Cunningham’s points lead out to an almost invincible 141 points.

Points Table 2008/09 (Top 10)