Breanna Morris is set to become just the seventh female driver to compete in New Zealand’s premiere single-seater class after receiving a grant from the Tony Quinn Foundation to make her debut in next year’s Toyota Racing Series.
“I’m very excited and grateful to be a part of the Tony Quinn Foundation which is helping young up and coming Kiwi drivers succeed in their motorsport careers,” said Morris.
Morris joins Fiona Hamilton (2005), Christina Orr (2006-08), Leanne Tander (2007), Michela Cerruti (2012), Tatiana Calderon (2013) and Chelsea Herbert (2020) as the only female drivers to race in the 17 years of TRS.
The 18-year-old Aucklander, who calls herself Bree for short, started kart racing at age 10 before moving to single-seater race cars. She started competing in Formula First before moving up and racing two seasons in Formula Ford at both regional and national level, and is current North Island series winner.
“I’ve always enjoyed single-seater racing, but my main ambition is to be a professional race car driver as my career,” added Morris.
TQF Trustee and former IndyCar team owner Steve Horne is impressed with what Morris has achieved, and he is also personally backing her entry into TRS.
The TRS series uses the latest generation FT-60 car which Morris has driven once but prior to that she had three days at the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy in the previous FT-50 model.
“Bree has shown her ability in winning the North Island Formula Ford series and finishing fourth in the National Championship,” said Horne.
“Anyone who wins a Formula Ford series, regardless of gender, deserves to go to the next level. TRS is the next logical step for young Kiwi drivers and she deserves to step up.
“The purpose of the TQF is to ensure funding exists to support young Kiwi drivers on their career path. We’ve watched Bree for a while and believe her talent, dedication and aspirations are worth supporting, and it was an easy decision to get on board to back her season for 2023.
“TRS is one of the most competitive junior series in the world and it’s right here in New Zealand. TQF are proud to support Bree as a young female driver who shows excellent qualities on and off the track.”
Morris will represent both the TQF and the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy during TRS, having gained valuable experience and guidance from HDNZRA chief instructor Daniel Gaunt, himself a double TRS champion between 2005-07. Gaunt remarks, “she is the best female driver I have ever seen at this stage in her career.”
Morris is quick to acknowledge the help given to her by the HDNZRA, saying: “My introduction to TRS started with the Hampton Downs racing academy. Daniel instructed me step by step to learn the aspects of driving a TRS car which has been an amazing help.
“The transition from Formula Ford to TRS definitely has a lot of learning involved about the different aspects of the cars. But I’ve been training and pushing myself for this next big step in my career.”
Morris will make her first appearance in the 2023 Toyota Racing Series championship when it kicks off at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell in mid-January for five back-to-back weekends of racing.
“My expectations for my TRS season is to develop my driving in a wings and slicks car to race in a single seater series overseas.”
2023 Castrol Toyota Racing Series Schedule:
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Highlands Motorsport Park | 13 to 15 January, 2023 |
| 2 | Teretonga Park Raceway | 20 to 22 January, 2023 |
| 3 | Manfield Circuit Chris Amon | 27 to 29 January, 2023 |
| 4 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | 3 to 5 February, 2023 |
| 5 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | 10 to 12 February, 2023 |
Main image: Taylor Burke | Words: Supplied
