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QUINN GETS NZ TOYOTA SERIES CALL-UP

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: October 11, 2022

National Formula Ford driver Ryder Quinn has been confirmed as a starter for New Zealand’s five round Toyota Racing Series (TRS) in 2023.

The son of GT driver Klark Quinn, and grandson of racer and motorsport magnate Tony Quinn, Ryder will contest in his first championship in an FIA junior single seater against an international field of drivers.

Quinn has been competing in Formula Ford and Aussie Racing Cars the last few seasons, with this season proving a consistent one in the national Formula Ford, running fifth in a very talented field and tightly packed leaderboard.

Quinn heads the field early at Morgan Park in the Formula Ford Championship. Photo: MTR Images

He’ll drive a Toyota FT20 open wheeler for the highly touted M2 Competition squad, with it being the first international filled running of the high class completion since 2020 due to COVID.

The young gun is looking forward to the experience, a competition that has seen some exceptional talent go through its ranks.

“The season is jam-packed with five rounds, all back to back weekends. It demands the very best out of a driver,” Quinn described. 

“The category is renowned worldwide for its tough competition. I am excited to see where I stand against the international drivers, coming up against some of the fastest young drivers in the world.

“As a race car driver, you always strive to win and constantly improve, but I do understand that I am lacking experience in Formula Cars with Aero and slicks. My goal’s  for this season are to gain as much experience in the car as possible, develop and improve my skills, and hopefully achieve a couple of top 10 results early on, then fight for the podiums and win towards the end.

Quinn in his Formula Ford #95 MygaleSJ12. Photo: MTR Images

Drivers such as Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam lawson have all used this series as stepping stone on their career paths, and more recently Bathurst 1000 debutant Matt Payne, who triumphed over Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Greg Murphy in an all NZ running.

“I am also very honoured and proud to be racing at Highlands Motorsport Park, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and Taupo Motorsport Park,” Quinn concluded.

M2 team principal, Mark Pilcher, added that “I have been working with the Quinn family for many years in racing and I am very happy to welcome Ryder on board to what is an exciting M2 Competition line-up.” 

Details regarding the 67th New Zealand Grand Prix – which remains the centrepiece of the championship, and one of only two non-F1 Grand Prix events recognised by the FIA, are also set to be released soon.

The competition also boasts one of the best percentage records for drivers that have made it into Formula 1. Current F1 drivers to have raced in the series include the aforementioned Norris and Tsunoda, as well as Lance Stroll, Guanyu Zhou and Nicolas Latifi. 

 2023 Toyota Racing Series

13-15 January 2023 – Highlands Motorsport Park

20-22 January 2023 – Teretonga Park Raceway

27-29 January 2023 – Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon

3-5 February 2023 – Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park

10-12 February 2023 – Taupo International Motorsport Park

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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