Reigning New Zealand Formula Ford champion Billy Frazer is the latest driver to sign up for the 2021 Toyota Racing Series.
The 17-year-old New Zealander moved into cars three years ago in Formula First (known as Formula Vee in other parts of the world) and won races before moving into FFord in 2019.
He won the Manfeild Winter Series at his first attempt and then took an impressive title win in the 2019-20 NZ FFord season.
Since then he has tested TRS’s previous generation car and its current Tatuus FT-60 chassis in preparation for debuting in his home country’s largest single-seater championship, as well as racing the old FT-50 car in Formula Libre races.
“The testing I have done in the FT50 was designed to make the transition from Formula Ford to the FT-60 a little bit easier and it has really helped,” said Frazer.
“It gave me the single seater experience with the downforce we were looking for during that transition.
“My test drive in the FT-60 was great. I really enjoyed it and it almost felt more suited to me and my style of driving than the FT-50. Both cars are awesome to drive.
“I am definitely looking forward to TRS. It has been my goal to do the TRS series since I started in karting. It is a clear rung in the career ladder for me and launch pad as I look for international opportunities.
“Although this year’s championship will be shorter, at three rounds with nine races, it is still key in terms of my own career progression and the value of it doesn’t really change.
“Kiwis have always been near or at the front even when the field has been packed with internationals so I am confident that if I go well then it’s representative of where I would be in a normal year. The big names being confirmed now are the icing on the cake for me, it’ll be great to be on the same grid with these guys.”
Local karting star Matthew Payne is the only driver other than Frazer to commit to the 2021 TRS season, although neither have publicly confirmed which teams they will race for, while NZ motorsport icons Kenny Smith and Shane van Gisbergen are set to race in the New Zealand Grand Prix which takes place during round one.
For more on the Toyota Racing Series, visit here.