16 year old Shahaan Engineer is the youngest driver to participate in the 57th New Zealand Grand Prix which will be held at Manfield Autocourse in February 2012. The prestigious event which was won by racing legends such as Sir Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart in the 1960’s will serve venue to the grand finale of the thrilling 15 race Toyota Racing Series, widely acknowledged as the most concentrated racing series in the world.
After an impressive car racing debut in the Formula Renault UK Finals Series last month, where the young teenager qualified 8th from 29 drivers on his first car race, Shahaan is looking to gain the vital track time as he seeks to hone his skills ahead of the 2012 Formula Renault UK series.
This year sees the largest overseas entry in the series history with several drivers from high level categories such as GP2 and World Series Renault who will be contesting in the highly-rated series which has extended its status as a significant proving ground for aspiring F1 drivers from across the globe. Drivers will cover in excess of 2,500 km of testing and racing over five consecutive events from the Deep South to the North of New Zealand.
“I am really excited to race in the Toyota Racing Series for my debut season, mainly because of the high level of drivers I will have the opportunity to compete against and learn from,” said Shahaan. “There is no other championship in the world where a newcomer can race against drivers with experience of GP2, Renault World Series and other senior championships.”
The Toyota Racing Series, which boasts full FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) status, takes place over five consecutive weekends between mid-January and mid-February next year. “With our first race starting at Teretonga on January 14th and the series finishing just four weeks later at the 57th New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild on February 12th, the Toyota Racing Series now offers the most concentrated and intense international series in the world”, said TRS category manager Barrie Thomlinson.
