Competitors in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series will received increased Super License points for this summer’s competition.

The New Zealand open wheel category has long been used as a training camp for European runners, with the likes of Lando Norris and Lance Stroll, amongst a host of others, having competed in the series.

Part of its appeal has been the fact that drivers qualify for Super License points, a vital component in competing in Formula 1.

At the World Council meeting this week in Geneva, the FIA accepted the category’s proposal to give it additional Super Licence points.

As a result, it will now offer 10 points to the championship winner, seven points for second place, five points for third, three for fourth position and a single Super Licence point to the driver who finishes fifth in the championship.

The series is also set to benefit courtesy of the FIA allowing points to accrue from two championships in a calendar year, provided the two do not run concurrently.

The Toyota Racing Series traditionally runs during the European winter, and therefore avoids overlap or clashes with other competitions.

“We have been on the radar for young drivers particularly this year with the announcement of the new car and engine package for the championship,” explained category manager Nicolas Caillol.

“We will have a full grid of 20 cars for this season’s competition and having more Super Licence points will only help put us further up in the global pecking order and attract even more drivers in the future.”

The 2020 Toyota Racing Series begins at Highlands Motorsport Park in January.

2020 Castrol Toyota Racing Series

17-19 January 2020 – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell – Dorothy Smith Memorial Trophy
24-26 January 2020 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill – Spirit of a Nation Cup
1-2 February 2020 – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Waikato – Denny Hulme Trophy
7-9 February 2020 – Pukekohe Park, Pukekohe – New Zealand Motor Cup
15-16 February 2020 – Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, Feilding – New Zealand Grand Prix