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- By Chris Harrowell, Eastern Times
A young achiever of New Zealand motorsport has his eye on the future as he continues honing his skills and experience to help him succeed in one of the world’s most difficult sports.
Whitford teenager Toby McCormack has this year taken out the top spot in the prestigious North Island Formula Ford Championship.
And he finished third in the National Formula Ford Championship, just one point behind the second-placed driver.
His success saw him earn the chance to participate in a three-day test for Rodin Cars, which is partnering with MotorSport New Zealand to create a pathway to Formula 1 for aspiring Kiwi drivers through the NZ Formula Ford Championship.
Participants are awarded a fully funded, “career-defining” opportunity which includes an all-expenses-paid, three-day testing and evaluation program with Rodin Cars in New Zealand.
He was also invited to take part in the Elite Motorsport Academy in Dunedin, for which only eight people from New Zealand are selected each year.
“It’s all about fitness and nutrition and all the stuff you need off track to become a high-quality racing driver,” he says of the experience.
When the Times caught up with McCormack, he was fresh off competing overseas in the Australian Formula Ford Series.
He says he was pleased with his results in winning the North Island Formula Ford Championship and finishing third in the National Formula Ford Championship.
“We were definitely hoping to be up the front, so we were happy with quite a few wins throughout the year.
“To come away with the North Island title and being high up in the Nationals, we were pretty happy with it.”
McCormack says the car he drove in the series hits speeds of 210km/h. To stay on top of his game, he has to watch what he eats and stay fit and healthy.
“Definitely, fitness is a big thing, being down in the gym and going on runs to make sure I’m not tired throughout the race, and my fitness is up.
“And then hand-eye co-ordination and doing things before each race to make sure I’m completely prepared and ready for what could happen.
“We don’t have much of a team. It’s really just me, mum, dad, and our mechanic Phil Barrett, so we sort of do it ourselves.
“I try to eat healthy, cut down on sugar, and make sure I’m always exercising.”
McCormack’s participation in the North Island Formula Ford Championship saw him race in cities including Hamilton, Taupo, and Palmerston North, while for the Nationals, he was competing in the likes of Christchurch and Queenstown.
The Times asked if he wants to follow in the footsteps – or tyre tracks – of Kiwi motorsport stars such as Nascar’s Shane van Gisbergen, IndyCar’s Scott Dixon, or Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson.
“Being from New Zealand, it’s hard to say you want to do one [over another],” McCormack says.
“You’ve got to see where doors open and where opportunities come up. I love all racing, so I don’t mind where I end up as long as I’m racing somewhere and doing what I love and getting paid doing it.”
