Pukekohe teenager Taylor Cockerton has signed for ETEC Motorsport heading into his rookie 2016 Toyota Racing Series season which starts in January. The current New Zealand Formula Ford Champion made the decision in July to step up to the internationally recognised single seater series in furthering his motorsport career.
“I’m really excited with running with the ETEC team,” commented Cockerton. “There are some great teams in TRS but we have decided on ETEC who have a great history with the series’.”
ETEC Motorsport is one of the most successful race teams in Australasia with huge experience in single seater, touring and sports car racing around the world.
Owner and principle Trevor Sheumack has worked with IndyCar champion Scott Dixon when he won the 1998 Australian Formula Holden Series and was one of the engineers for the Fondmetal Formula One team during the 1992 season and has worked with drivers such as Gabriele Tarquini and Eric van de Poele as well as renowned designer Sergio Rinland.
“I’m thrilled to have Cockerton aboard for this summer,” commented Scheumack. “He comes out of NZ Formula Ford with a solid reputation, some great racing skills and a willingness to step up and learn.”
ETEC Motorsport have been successful in running a large number of rookie drivers including Josh Hill, son of F1 World Champion Damon Hill and Andrew Tang who went on to win the 2014 series.
Leading up to the five round series held over consecutive weekends, Cockerton is about to start testing in the older TRS FT40 car used in the first 10 years before the new FT50 was introduced last season.
“”We’ve been given the opportunity to do some testing in the older FT40,” said Cockerton. “It will give us some great seat time and the opportunity to understand more about the aerodynamics and the tyres coupled with much more horsepower and stopping ability that we had in the Formula Ford.
The five round 2016 Toyota Racing Series held over five consecutive rounds gets underway in Christchurch 16-17 January. Since 2005 TRS has developed a reputation attracting top international talent from around the world where Kiwi drivers can compare their talent with some of the world’s best in the class.
