New Zealand Ferrari Racing Team, Trass Family Motorsport (TFM), will line up for its Highlands 101 debut on November 08-09 with the only all-Kiwi GT3 team and driver line up.

Led by accomplished international GT3 racer Jono Lester, 24, the TFM team will make its first start with the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 at Highlands Park, partnered by impressive rising star Graeme Smyth, 23.

The recent addition to the team’s growing Ferrari stable is only the second FIA GT3-spec car into New Zealand (the other is Inky Tulloch’s Camaro GT3), and the first carrying the Ferrari badge.

The 458 Italia model is highly accomplished in the world of GT3 racing, having won the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hour four times, the Gulf 12 Hours twice, the 2013 Sepang 12 Hour and most recently the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour.

In a race against time, TFM have taken delivery of the new car only this week with a full mechanical checkover and race preparation currently underway. The first turn of the 458’s wheels for both Lester and Smyth will be in Friday’s opening practice of the Highlands 101.

“I’m pumped to get back behind the wheel of a GT3 car and have my first taste the gorgeous 458 Italia,” Lester said.

“All the late nights of preparation will be worth it when we fire up for the opening practice at the 101. I know we have a team and driver line up to score a top result despite the world class opposition.”

The race against time to make the Highlands 101 grid always presents risks, and the TFM team will be pitted alongside the expert hands at Maranello Motorsport for support during the debut event. Maranello Motorsport are the leading Ferrari squad in Australian GT and defending Bathurst 12 Hour winners. 

Graeme Smyth will make his GT3 debut at the Highlands 101, joining the TFM team after two impressive Porsche performances in the recent New Zealand Endurance Championship.

“It’s going to be a big learning curve. It’s a new track for me and I’ve never driven anything like the Ferrari before but I’m confident I can adapt quickly,” Smyth commented.

“I can’t thank the team from Trass Family Motorsport enough for giving me the opportunity to drive such an awesome car with some of the best drivers in Australasia and guys who I’ve looked up to for years.” 

The Highlands 101 schedule is a busy one with TFM competing in three separate events, beginning with the final round of the 2014 Australian GT Championship. Lester will solo-drive the 458 Italia GT3 in the two 40-minute races comprising this.

Sunday morning’s Highlands 1+01 invitational endurance race (one hour long + one lap) will see Lester and Team Principal Gerald Trass pair up in TFM’s second Ferrari, a F430 Challenge.

The main Sunday feature of the 101-lap endurance race will see Lester and Smyth teaming up in the 458 Italia GT3.

Tickets for the Highlands 101 can still be purchased via the Ticket Direct website.

Trass Family Motorsport is supported by key partners including Continental Cars: Official Ferrari Dealer, the Ferrari Owners Club of New Zealand, Vortex Racewear, CRC and iSign It. 

More details about TFM can be found on the team’s Official website at www.tfmotorsport.co.nz, or by following ‘Trass Family Motorsport’ on Facebook, and @tfmotorsport on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo credit: Matthew Hansen