Like it or not humans are creatures of habit. The bulk of us like regular, consistency and certainty. Compared to the rest of the coronavirus world, NZ is doing pretty well but the flow-on affects will continue to make an impact.
So, to the 2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series and the difficulties in arranging what has for many years been regular, consistent and certain.
“We are trying to run a normal series, keep everything the same,” Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand manager Mark Whittaker commented to Talkmotorsport late last week. “We’d still like to have 20 cars with 4-5 Kiwis topped up with internationals.”
Despite the speculation, Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand is now having to work within the confines of government regulation, quarantine and the ever-changing circumstances around the world.
At this stage, five race weekend dates have been set starting from the fourth weekend in January (22-24th) and ending five weeks later, 19-21 February. Venues to be confirmed.
“We need internationals to compete against as there are not enough Kiwis to run the series. They are also an important gauge on how our Kiwi drivers’ are doing,” said Whittaker.
At this time of the season category manager Nico Caillol is usually overseas talking with prospective drivers across F3,F4 and kartsport categories gathering interest. This season, with travel restrictions, this is now being achieved through social media, Zoom meetings and established friendships, colleagues and networks.
“We’ve talked with drivers and there is a good level of interest there. They are prepared to quarantine but would like to spend Christmas at home. Hence the earliest weekend to go racing would be the 22-24 January 2021.”
Regardless of what may unfold throughout the world over the next six months, racing over five consecutive weekends in NZ is a major drawcard for young international drivers. At the moment it offers some sort of consistency, certainty and in a Covid-19 free environment.
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