Cassidy adds European Formula Three to Japan Super GT Commitments
Aucklander Nick Cassidy is to race in the European Formula Three Championship this year as well as Japan’s Super GT series in a Lexus RC F.
Cassidy, the double Toyota Racing Series Champion in 2012 and 2013, will drive for the top rated Italian team Prema, with whom he had a couple of drives last year, finishing on the podium at the Nurburgring in Germany.
“I am really excited to be joining Prema Powerteam,” said Cassidy. “It is going to be a busy year, traveling between Europe and Japan. But after a great year last year, I feel that I am more than prepared.”
Cassidy won the Japanese Formula Three title last year and finished on the podium at the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix in November 2014, considered by many to be the unofficial Formula 3 World championship, as it attracts top drivers from Europe and Asia.
He will join last year’s Toyota Racing Series Champion Lance Stroll at Prema.
“When we had an open seat at the end of last season, I did not have a single doubt about having Nick in our team,” said Rene Rosin, the Prema team manager. “He did a really good job straight away and he showed the attitude needed to be a part of Prema.”
Meanwhile Christchurch driver James Munro who has been on the podium twice in this year’s Toyota Racing Series has announced he is off to the United States for a season of Formula Ford 2000 racing later this year.
Munro turned in the drive of the weekend at Taupo when he fought back from last to 11th in the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy race. Munro was forced to pit and replace the front wing - nose cone section after an altercation with Artem Markelov, which was not the Kiwi’s fault.
Munro will drive for a team run by former Aucklander and 1981 New Zealand Grand Prix winner Dave McMillan. The American FF2000 series is the first stepping stone which can lead to Indy Car racing, Munro’s long term goal.
He goes into the final three races in the series at Manfeild this coming weekend, which includes the New Zealand Grand Prix, lying eighth on the points table.
Image sourced from the 2016 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Activity Press Conference. Nick pictured at the back of left row.
