• Latest
  • Trending
Shepherd takes FT60 for test spin

Shepherd takes FT60 for test spin

June 16, 2021
Hayden Paddon takes second season win at Rally of Whangarei

Hayden Paddon takes second season win at Rally of Whangarei

May 16, 2022
Racing World Podcast: IndyCar review and Kiwis in action

Racing World Podcast: IndyCar review and Kiwis in action

May 16, 2022
Marathon for McElrea, podiums for Frazer and Sharp as NZ takes on the world

Marathon for McElrea, podiums for Frazer and Sharp as NZ takes on the world

May 16, 2022
SVG third in Mercedes-AMG clean sweep of Bathurst 12 hour podium

SVG third in Mercedes-AMG clean sweep of Bathurst 12 hour podium

May 15, 2022
McLaughlin spins from lead behind safety car, Dixon top ten despite running out of fuel

McLaughlin spins from lead behind safety car, Dixon top ten despite running out of fuel

May 15, 2022
Evans climbs to fifth in Berlin, McLaren to join Formula E

Evans climbs to fifth in Berlin, McLaren to join Formula E

May 15, 2022
Mostert takes pole, SVG to start fifth for Bathurst 12 hour

Mostert takes pole, SVG to start fifth for Bathurst 12 hour

May 14, 2022
McElrea and Frazer claim silverware at Indianapolis

McElrea and Frazer claim silverware at Indianapolis

May 14, 2022
McLaughlin qualifies ninth, Herta on pole in Long Beach

McLaughlin qualifies 11th, Dixon 21st for the GMR Grand Prix

May 14, 2022
Keeping up with the Kiwis, your guide to the action: May 13-15

Keeping up with the Kiwis, your guide to the action: May 13-15

May 12, 2022
Revitalising Taupo International Motorsport Park

Revitalising Taupo International Motorsport Park

May 12, 2022
Monday, May 16, 2022
VelocityNews
Classifieds
Subscribe
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Race Series
    • Toyota 86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • Super GT NZ
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Classifieds
    • Classifieds
    • Post Classified
    • Manage your listings
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Shepherd takes FT60 for test spin

by Velocity News
June 16, 2021
in New Zealand, News, Toyota Race Series
0

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Hayden Paddon takes second season win at Rally of Whangarei

Racing World Podcast: IndyCar review and Kiwis in action

Kiwi racer Rowan Shepherd has completed a full day of testing in Toyota’s FT60 TRS car at Hampton Downs, impressing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand engineers with both his speed and his rate of improvement throughout a rainy and difficult day.

The official test in the current generation Castrol Toyota Racing Series car was part of Shepherd’s prize as the 2021 Best Bars Toyota 86 Championship winner and despite wet track conditions and unpredictable weather, he enjoyed the opportunity and the test immensely.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Shepherd afterwards. “I’ve wanted to test a junior formulae car like this for a long time and it was great to get out there and have a full day with it, even in the wet. It took a while to get used to the lack of ABS after four or more seasons driving cars with that, but it came bit by bit and I was able to make some great strides with Chris van der Drift giving me plenty of good advice and input.

“It’s only really made me want more now. I am really keen to see what I can do with it in the dry and also to drive the car at a speed when it is generating all of its downforce, which you don’t get when it’s wet of course. Overall though a great day and I loved it.”

The full day test saw the 29 year old Kiwi complete around 80 laps of the National circuit at the North Waikato facility under the guidance of the TGRNZ test team led by Castrol TRS category manager Nico Caillol. Despite difficult conditions for what was his first junior formula wings and slicks test, Caillol was impressed.

‘There’s always a bit of adjustment to make to get used to the way the car brakes and feels compared to a saloon car, especially in the wet,” he said “But Rowan gained confidence after each of the sessions and improved throughout the day. He’s obviously very talented and it would be great to see him compete in the full series on circuits he knows extremely well.”

With testing dates every month for the next five months at the North Waikato track, there is a great opportunity for more Kiwis to test the car as well as Australian drivers.

The next test is later this week at Hampton Downs with additional dates also available in July, August, September and October. Whilst all are scheduled for the popular North Waikato circuit, it is also possible TGRNZ will test at other circuits in New Zealand during the same period once its 2022 championship calendar is confirmed.

The FT60 testing opportunities represent incredible value for money in terms of track time and engineering support from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ. Half and full day options are available and in both cases drivers get practice runs with full engineering and data analysis support, driver coaching and a fresh tyre run at the end of their session.

The programme will also feature testing opportunities for the Best Bars Toyota 86 Championship.

Images: Andy Kruy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Race Series
    • Toyota 86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • Super GT NZ
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Classifieds
    • Classifieds
    • Post Classified
    • Manage your listings
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.