Australian Tom McLennan joins 2023 Toyota Racing Series

Tom McLennan has become the first Australian to sign up for the 2023 Toyota Racing Series.

Tom McLennan is the first Australian to sign up for the 2023 Toyota Racing Series. (Supplied)

The 17-year-old from Brisbane has raced in Formula Ford and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge after making the step up from karting.

He took a win and two podiums in the 2021 Queensland Formula Ford competition, before two class wins and one top six finish overall in the Porsche series.

“It’s awesome to get the chance to race in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series,” said McLennan.

“It’s a great international series against drivers from all around the world racing at New Zealand’s finest tracks."

“It’s one of the biggest open wheel series in the southern hemisphere. It has produced some great drivers like Lando Norris, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, and they’ve gone onto great things in their careers."

"I really hope I can use the the Toyota Racing Series to improve myself.”

McLennan will race with mtec Motorsport and has already completed a test session in a FT-60.

“Mtec is proud to have an Aussie as part of our campaign," said team principal and fellow Australian Bruin Beasley.

"Tom has shown that he has all the attributes needed to be competitive in TRS."

"He's very level headed and his natural pace will put him in the mix come next January.”

The 2023 Castrol Toyota Racing Series begins 13-15 January at Highlands Motorsport Park in the South Island before four further rounds back-to-back across New Zealand.