Toyota Racing Series category manager Barrie Thomlinson says a new lap record will be the admission price for drivers hoping to win the New Zealand Grand Prix this weekend.

"If it's fine, I think more than one of our racers will step below the lap record at Manfeild, in fact I think that is how we will see the Grand Prix title won.  There’s a group of racers who will dip under the record; the winner will most likely step onto the podium from that group," he said.

Though racers woke this morning to light drizzle and a forecast of afternoon showers, the forecast for Grand Prix Sunday is for clear skies.

Firday's test sessions saw times dip to within a second of Wanganui driver Earl Bamber's 2008 benchmark of 1:03.820.  Earlier on-track sessions in better weather saw the lap record unofficially smashed.

Mr Thomlinson says there are up to four racers contesting this final round of the TRS international  series who can re-set the mark and put themselves in consideration for the Grand Prix win.

"The speed and intensity of competition in this year's championship has stepped up far beyond what we have seen in previous years.  Already this year we have seen lap records broken over and over, lap records set at stunning new venues like Hampton Downs, and our young racers have brought white-hot race action to every on-track session and race in the series."

Championship leader Mitch Evans (pictured), key local rivals Earl Bamber and Andrew Waite and more recently Richie Stanaway have all pushed the pace and intensity of racing in this year's championship, helped by the speed of international racers including NZ Motor Cup winner Sten Pentus (Estonia) and Lucas Foresti.

Mr Thomlinson says the Grand Prix will also crown this year's TRS International Series winner.

"We have worked hard on the format of the International Series this year, and as a result have attracted some seriously fast guys from overseas.  In addition, our local drivers have responded to the challenge in superb style, delivering exciting, spectacular race action at every track.  So the question that remains now is: will it be a Kiwi or an international driver who take the series win this year?"

Foresti in the 20th international driver to contest the Toyota Racing Series.

On Saturday, the TRS cars have two back to back qualifying sessions to decide grid positions for the week’s three races, followed by a top ten shootout.  At 5.45 pm the cars are on track for the first race of the weekend, the 20-lap Dan Higgins trophy.

On Sunday, the on-track action starts at 11.40 with a 12 lap race, followed in the afternoon at 2.20 pm by the New Zealand Grand Prix.  By 3.00 pm the newest name to be inscribed on this historic trophy will be known.

Media: Mark Baker  Photo: Bruce Jenkins