NZ Formula Ford Champion Taylor Cockerton has completed a highly successful test in the new Toyota Racing Series FT50 car at the Hampton Downs circuit in the north Waikato on Thursday. As part of the prize package for winning the 2014/15 title, the Pukekohe teenager won a free TRS test day with the view to moving forward in his single seater career.
“I loved it,” said Cockerton. “It is insanely fast which initially caught me by surprise. We do 1min 10 seconds around here in a Formula Ford while the TRS car is less than 1 min 02 seconds. That is a massive jump.”
The day saw Cockerton take part in several test sessions in both the morning and afternoon. On hand was TRS manager Barrie Thomlinson who saw some great potential in the youngster.
“I thought Taylor did a really good job and got to grips with the car pretty quickly,” commented Thomlinson. “It’s quite different from what he is used to in a Formula Ford.”
“His initial feel for the FT50 was good and he now knows what he needs to do to go faster in this type of car.”
Since winning the Formula Ford title, Cockerton has undertaken a Formula 4 single seater test in early April at Winton Raceway in Victoria, Australia.
The 17 year old will return to Winton this Thursday to test an Australian Formula Ford with Greg Woodrow, the Australian importer of the Mygale chassis.
“The main objective is to learn the track and, understand the difference between an Australian and a New Zealand Formula Ford,” commented Cockerton.
The team will then start to make decisions on the best options and opportunities moving forward into the next season.
Thomlinson sees potential in Cockerton taking part in the 2016 Toyota Racing Series. “He’s got the ability to learn and we’d be excited to see him in the series. He’s got great Formula Ford results and has the aptitude to apply himself to TRS”
“I’m just so grateful for the TRS opportunity that Barrie and the team have given me,” said Cockerton. “The car is just fantastic to drive, the power is awesome and they have a desirable and competitive series to be involved with.”
“We still have a test next weekend with Formula Ford in Australia then we’ll sit down and weight up our options, securing budget etc.”
