Jan 15

Jan 15 Dominant victory for David Morales in Toyota Formula Regional feature race

David Morales has taken a dominant victory in the first feature race of the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania season.

David Morales celebrates after winning the Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup. *(Tayler Burke / Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)*

With race-winner Callum Hedge on pole, Morales made an incredible start from second and blazed into the lead by turn one.

The lead pair raced away from the chasing pack, with third-placed Charlie Wurz five seconds behind by lap five.

Hedge was forced to retire with an apparent suspension issue around the halfway mark, leaving Morales with clear air to the chequered flag, the South Floridian taking the Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup ahead of Austrian Wurz and Kiwi Liam Sceats.

“I was running a bit of a fever earlier on today and didn’t feel that well at all in the build-up for the race, so it was more about survival,” said Morales

“It is the longest race I’ve ever done in this type of car and it was incredibly hot which didn’t help me or the tyres.”

“It was very loose towards the end but I just kept pushing hard.”

“It’s the biggest race I’ve won and it gives me the confidence to go forward into the next rounds knowing I can do it.”

“I’m only just learning about Kenny Smith as well so to win this trophy is very special indeed.”

David Morales on-track at Highlands Motorsport Park. *(Bruce Jenkins / Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)*

There was action throughout the 13-car field, with Jacob Abel and Josh Mason going head-to-head on for seventh, the pair banging wheels and spinning off track together.

Abel recovered, but Mason had to wait for passing traffic before he resumed in eleventh, just ahead of Breanna Morris and Lucas Fecury.

Behind Abel, Ryan Shehan made a dramatic move past Tom McLennan for eighth, with race two winner James Penrose filing past in the same corner as the slowing Aussie moved back to the racing line.

Aussie Ryder Quinn was fourth, with McLennan finishing tenth.

The 2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series returns 20-22 January in Teretonga.