By Paul van der Werff
Dutch driver Richard Verschoor has extended his lead in the Toyota Racing Series (TRS) despite a poor performance in today's NZ Motor Cup race.
Verschoor finished second in the day's preliminary race and 16th in this afternoon's feature at Hampton Downs, but still holds a 23-point lead, with two rounds of the championship remaining.
Aussie Thomas Randle, who is second in the championship, won this afternoon's race - the first Australian in 42 years to win New Zealand's most historic motor racing trophy.
Sixteen-year-old Verschoor had to drop out of contention in today's race after a crash with Kiwi Marcus Armstrong left him needing a new front wing.
The Dutch teen is the youngest driver in the field and is one of three drivers representing junior Formula 1 teams in the TRS.
He represents the Red Bull Junior Team while Armstrong has only recently joined the Ferrari development team. Force India is also represented.
Verschoor wants to ultimately drive in Formula 1 and says he is happy to have the support of one of the biggest names in motorsport.
"They support me in a lot of things like physical training, mental training and a lot of simulators as well. It is also great for my name as well," he says.
With the championship now past the midway point, Verschoor says the key to claiming the title is just to carry on with his consistent results.
"In general the driver level is really high so it's very competitive and you really have to work hard to be on top," he said.
Round four is in Taupo next weekend.
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