Elated Randle wins Motor Cup

Thomas Randle has become the first Australian driver in four decades to win the New Zealand Motor Cup, winning from pole through two safety car episodes at Hampton Downs in New Zealand’s North Island.

“I’ve dreamed about winning this since I first saw the names on the trophy. This is unreal,” said an overjoyed Randle afterward.

Randle flat-spotted his left front tyre on the first lap under pressure from Jehan Daruvala, and drove the race with a ‘square’ tyre. He held his lead through two safety car restarts.

Series leader Richard Verschoor hit the right rear wheel of Marcus Armstrong’s car and smashing its suspension putting Armstrong out of the race. The Red Bull driver pitted for a new front tyre and nose cone and rejoined, putting in a spirited drive from last to 12th. He was relegated to 16th for hitting Armstrong.

Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg had his best drive of the series to second after starting seventh, while Jehan Daruvala claimed third after Pedro Piquet went off on the final lap and lost two positions.

Top Kiwi was Taylor Cockerton who finished seventh after starting tenth, while Brendon Leitch had a weekend to forget starting 13th, losing his front wing in a tangle with American Kory Enders and finishing 18th.

The Motor Cup is one of New Zealand’s oldest trophies, and was first raced in 1921. Notable past winners include Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Sir Jack Brabham, Chris Amon and Prince Bira. The last successful driver from across the Tasman was Warwick Brown, who won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1975.

The other TRS races were won by Marcus Armstrong and Enaam Ahmed.

Castrol Toyota Racing Series

Points after three of five rounds.

1, Verschoor, 537;
2, Randle, 514;
3, Piquet, 483;
4, Daruvala, 405;
5, Armstrong, 402;
6, Ahmed, 376;
7, Cockerton, 371;
8, Laliberte, 360;
9, Habsburg, 336;
10, Leitch, 290.