Kiwis racing abroad this weekend

Things are finally beginning to heat up again overseas as the Kiwi contingent racing abroad starts getting down to business.

Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans will look to continue their point scoring runs as Formula E debuts in Hyderabad whilst Brendon Leitch will be back in a Lambo in Dubai.

Jacob Douglas also gets into the swing of things with the YACademy Winter Series at Sebring making for a busy weekend ahead for followers.

Throw in a scintillating title battle in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship right here in Taupo, it’s time to strap in and prepare for a great ride.

Mitch Evans & Nick Cassidy – Formula E Hyderabad E-Prix

• Where: Hyderabad Street Circuit, India
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 6pm
  • Race: Saturday 10pm
• How to watch: Sky Sport 5

Evans and Cassidy have both started off 2023 well, in the points in over the opening two rounds. Only one point separates the pair, Evans the better in ninth in the standings whilst Cassidy follows in 10th.

Evans proved he has the pace to be at the front last round in Saudi Arabia, qualifying second fastest and starting on the front row. Whilst he dropped off in the races it still shows Jaguar should not be written off.

Cassidy also had a great run at the Diriyah E-Prix, an impressive sixth place in Race 1 showing he too is a contender.

It’s still early days in the 2023 season, however both drivers will be aiming for a big result to ensure they keep touch with the championship front runners.

Brendon Leitch – Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Dubai

• Where: Dubai Autodrome Circuit
• NZ Times:
  • GT Race 1 Qualifying: Saturday 6:20pm
  • Race 1: Sunday 12am
  • GT Race 2 Qualifying: Sunday 6:20pm
  • Race 2: Monday 12am
• How to watch: Live stream (motorsport.tv)

Brendon Leitch is having a busy month, this weekend taking to the track in the first two Asian Le Mans Series races after competing in last week’s New Zealand Grand Prix. Both events are four hours of length in Dubai and feature 48 cars, being 24 prototypes and 24 GT3.

Leitch is competing for Leipert Motorsport in a factory-supported Lamborghini Huracan GT3, partnering with top Am driver, Gabriel Rindone, and Lamborghini factory driver Marco Mapelli.

The Kiwi is another with a big year ahead and will definitely be worth following as he goes from strength-to-strength overseas.

Jacob Douglas – 2023 YACademy Winter Series

• Where: Sebring International Raceway, Florida, USA
• NZ Times:
  • Race 1: Friday 2:45am
  • Race 2: Friday 5am
  • Race 3: Friday 8:15am
  • Race 4: Friday 9:45am
• How to follow: Live timings (not filmed)

Jacob Douglas will be back in action this weekend for his first proper hit out of 2023. The youngster, driving for Exclusive Autosport, is taking part in the 2023 YACademy Winter Series competing against top USF 2000 and F4 talent.

The weekend has started well for Douglas who will start on the front row in Race 1 after a scintillating qualifying display. He’s been on the pace all event thus far, near the top of the timing sheets in each practice session also.

The year is shaping up to be a big one for the Cantabrian who has his sights firmly set on success in USF2000 on the Road to Indy pathway.