Young Christchurch driver James Munro has underlined his potential by claiming the Formula Masters China Series (FMCS) at the weekend.
The 17-year-old Christ’s College student produced a dominant performance in race 16 of the final round in Shanghai, leading from start to finish to take the win.
He was then able to clinch the championship in the penultimate race of the series after placing fifth. In the last race of the series, Munro ended up fourth.
Munro, who was driving for the Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG team, finished the 18-race series with 215 points – 28 clear of second placed Matthew Solomon from Hong Kong.
Munro won eight races during the series. He was delighted to have secured the title against many of the brightest young Asian drivers.
“It was my first time in the series. At the same time, my goal was to go over there and win. It was always going to be a tough ask. There were much more experienced drivers over there, who knew all the tracks and the cars.”
Munro is set for a busy next few weeks as he juggles study for his upcoming year 13 exams and driving opportunities in Asia.
He has been selected in Lamborghini’s young drivers’ programme and will begin testing a new Huracan Super Trofeo in Sepang, Malaysia, next month.
Munro was the lone Kiwi in the FMCS series, which was held over six rounds in China, Korea and Malaysia.
The FMCS is a one-make single-seater racing series, not too different from New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series. It uses a FIA Formula Three chassis powered by an 180hp Volkswagen engine. “It was tough going over there, but it was a really good experience and I’m definitely glad I did it.”
Munro said competing at Formula One tracks in Sepang and Shanghai, was a massive thrill.
“It was absolutely incredible, to be honest. Coming from New Zealand, it was a huge wakeup call. I couldn’t believe how much bigger than our tracks they were.”
Munro finished seventh in this year’s Toyota Racing Series, winning one of the races at Timaru’s International Motor Raceway.
He will again line up in the series this summer, which begins at Christchurch’s Ruapuna circuit on January 17-18.
