Australian youngster Luis Leeds has cemented a place in New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series which kicks off its five-round season at Ruapuna, Christchurch, in the New Year.

A member of the Red Bull junior program, Leeds enjoyed a successful season in the British Formula 4 Championship where he finished third on the standings after registering three wins and eight podiums.

The 16-year-old has previously raced at Ruapuna in the Toyota 86 Series last year and recorded a win and a second in Formula Ford at the Manfeild circuit which hosts the TRS season-ending New Zealand Grand Prix from February 11-12.

“I’ve just finished a season in British F4 and we’ll be using TRS as preparation for the 2017 European season where I’ll be racing FR 2.0 with Josef Kaufmann,” Leeds said.

Leeds will race for the Giles Motorsport team in the TRS which uses identical Tatuus chassis, powered by a 1.8 litre Toyota engine producing 160kW.

A full field of 20 cars is expected for the TRS which will follow a familiar format with free practice each Friday, qualifying and one race on Saturday and two races on Sunday at each round.

2017 TRS calendar

January 14-15: Lady Wigram Trophy, Ruapuna Park, Christchurch
January 21-22: Spirit of a Nation Cup, Teretonga, Invercargill
January 28-29: New Zealand Motor Cup, Hampton Downs, North Waikato
February 4-5: Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy, Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, Taupo
February 11-12: New Zealand Grand Prix, Circuit Chris Amon, Manfeild