James Penrose wins Toyota Formula Regional Oceania race two at Highlands
Proudly carrying the livery of series sponsor Castrol, James Penrose has claimed victory in the second race of the Toyota Formula Regional weekend.
James Penrose leads the pack during race two in Highlands. (Bruce Jenkins / Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand)
Leading the field away from pole in the reverse-top-eight grid, Penrose used his fresh set of tyres to tear away from the pack.
“Heading into today after yesterday I didn’t think it would be possible to win today but I got lucky with the starting position for this race," said Penrose.
"Once I was there I just focussed on getting a good start and getting my head down and racing as hard as I could."
“I just got into a rhythm and I found that through the fast stuff everything just started to sync a lot better."
Behind him, a fierce battle between Aussie Ryder Quinn and American Jacob Abel for second place saw Quinn skirt the outside of the entry to the chicane, taking out the bollard and sending the field into a cloud of dust by turn one.
Abel secured the position, but his chase of Penrose was quickly neutralised when Liam Sceats ran off the track in the forest section and collected the wall, bringing out the safety car.
Penrose held firm at the restart, as F4 UAE champion Charlie Wurz dived down the inside of Quinn for third.
American David Morales joined the battle, attempting unsuccessfully to push past the Australian around the outside, as Callum Hedge and Chloe Chambers eagerly watched on.
Wurz made a break for the leaders as the clock ticked down, with Quinn tucked in behind him.
A last-ditch attempt to past Jacob Abel for second on the final lap backfired, as Wurz was unable to make the pass and was passed by Quinn as he recovered to the racing line.
Round one of the 2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series concludes with race three at 2.00pm Sunday (AEDT).
2023 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania - Highlands Race Two
- James Penrose (NZ)
- Jacob Abel
- Ryder Quinn (AUS)
- Charlie Wurz
- David Morales
- Callum Hedge (NZ)
- Chloe Chambers
- Josh Mason
- Thomas McLennan (AUS)
- Lucas Fecury
- Breanna Morris (NZ)
- Liam Sceats (NZ) - DNF
