Cassidy wins in Japan Formula 3 debut

Double Toyota Racing Series Champion and multiple New Zealand Grand Prix winner Nick Cassidy has scored a first and tenth place at the opening round of the 2015 Japanese Formula Three Championship at Suzuka over the weekend.

The Auckland driver dominated the meeting in his TOM’s Toyota Dallara. He qualified on pole position for both races and set fastest lap time in both events as well. The triple New Zealand Grand Prix winner at Manfeild in 2012, ’13 and ’14 and the overall TRS champion in New Zealand in 2012 and 2013 also won both races at Suzuka. He received a 40 second penalty after an incident on the first lap of race one which saw his team-mate Kenta Yamashita leave the track.

"Overall I'm massively pleased with my performance,” said Cassidy. “Double pole was awesome and the points were a great boost going into the races. I was disappointed to miss the win in race one but race two went perfectly."

The Japanese Formula Three Championship uses a common Dallara chassis with a choice of two litre motors from various manufacturers allowed.

“TOM’s did a great job with the car’s set-up,” said Cassidy. “Its speed was amazing.”

Toyota New Zealand Motorsport Manager Steve Boyce said Cassidy's successful weekend was a “great” beginning for the young driver's Japan F3 campaign.

“The Japan Formula Three Championship is a breeding ground for higher international honours, just like our TRS series here each summer.”

Cassidy lies second in the championship behind Japanese driver Mitsunori Takaboshi, who finished first and second in the two races.

His next outing in the eight round series is at the Motegi circuit with a further two races on May 9 and 10.