Kiwi driver James Penrose proved that he is quick enough to step onto the podium in the 2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC) after the second round at Teretonga Park, Invercargill, last weekend. The Cantabrian qualified fifth for the opening race and then third fastest for the final Spirit of the Nation Trophy race on Sunday afternoon.
However, luck didn’t play its part and he ended up fifth in Saturday afternoon’s race, seventh in the reverse top eight Race 2 and then a disappointing 12th in the final feature race of the weekend.
“Unfortunately it was the clutch which started slipping from the second lap,” commented Penrose at the end of Race 3. “I came in (to the pits) and it must have cooled down and we were able to get going again. I got second fastest lap of the race so we must have had the pace there, which is also frustrating.
“I’m gutted for both myself and the team so bring on Manfeild this weekend.”
Initially Penrose appeared to struggle with pace in the opening round at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell but came away with a win in Race 2.
Competing with the Kiwi Motorsport team, the 2020/21 NZ Formula Ford champion was quick on the pace in Invercargill setting the second fastest lap in Friday practice before the weekend of racing.
This weekend sees the third, of five consecutive rounds, taking place at the iconic Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding.
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