Hot Times At TRS Testing Today

How many drivers can go under the existing lap record as temperatures edge toward 30 degrees Celsius? The answer at Hampton Downs today was emphatic: half the field and more.

The 22-strong Toyota Racing Series field were on track three times today, and each time significant numbers went under the existing mark of 1:01.864 set by Mitch Evans in 2010.

In the first – and coolest – session this morning, Singapore’s Andrew Tang was quickest of all with 1:00.836, more than a minute under the record. The top 16 racers in the field all went under the existing mark. Full session one times are at here

In the second session Russian racer Egor Orudzhev was fastest with 1:01.228. Andrew Tang was second fastest on 1:01.315 and again the top 16 were all under the existing record. Full session two times are at  here

Then in late afternoon as temperatures peaked and the wind died away, UK driver Jann Mardenborough (pictured) went 1:00.559, fastest for the day. Close behind was Martin Rump – both drivers racing with Giles Motorsport. The 2014 rookie and current championship leader posted 1:00.897. Third fastest in that session was Invercargill’s Damon Leitch on 1:01.050. Seventeen racers went under the record. Full session three times are at  here

The racers return to the track tomorrow for qualifying at 11.00 am.