JACKSON WALLS TO RACE IN NEW ZEALAND TRS SERIES

Young Jackson Walls and CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship Rookie will race in the coveted Castrol Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand in the New Year, the 5 race series takes place at 5 different tracks over just 5 weekends including the finale at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon for the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Walls will miss the first round at Highlands Motorsport Park as he’ll be too young, he turns 16 years old just a day before the second round at Teretonga (Invercargill, South Island) and in accordance with FIA licence rules will only be able to test on the Thursday before the first round at Highlands Motorsport Park over the weekend of January 12th and 13th.  Jackson will be the youngest competitor in the 2019 series.

The 15 year old finished a creditable sixth overall in the 2018 CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship, taking three podium finishes on the way for Patrizicorse in what was his first and the team’s first season out of karting. Several years of karting saw Walls competing in regional and national categories before making the step up.

Velocity Motorsport Magazine caught up with Jackson to get his take on his very first year racing in the Australian Formula 4 category this year and we asked him about the forthcoming TRS series in NZ.

VM: What are your thoughts on your first year in F4?  Were you personally satisfied with the results?

JW: “The first few rounds I was really just coming to grips with driving a car – any car. After that, from Winton onwards I started to make progress with my car control and racecraft – neither of which are really sorted yet. A couple of minor mechanical issues cheated us of better results in the second half of the season, however I still managed to achieve a race podium in each of the last three rounds. My duel with Lovey in the final race of the season was really cool.”

VM: We understand that you owned the F4 car, did you find this better than the previous lease only arrangement?

JW: I cant really comment as it was my first year in the series. We would have leased one if that was the only way. I guess you can’t thrash it like a rental. 🙂 

VM: Quite a few of the previous F4 drivers did more than one season in the category, is that your intention or are their plans to move up or overseas for 2019?

JW: We are going to start 2019 in Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand. Unfortunately I cant race on the first weekend at Highlands as I wont turn 16 until the following week, so that’s a bummer. After that it will be F4AU again for the first half of 2019. The F4AU series may finish as early as July so it looks like we may have some more opportunities in the second half of the year.

VM: What is the intention with the TRS drive, win or gain more experience?

JW: Really just more driving and racing experience. Tuning up a few arms and legs issues.

VM: Have you had a test day in the TRS car as yet?

JW: No. I wont get to drive the car until the test day before Round 1 at Highlands Park. The FT-50 is another 55HP and lots more aero than what I have been used to this year. Should be cool.

VM: The TRS Series always attracts the best young talent from the norther hemisphere, what are your thoughts on racing with these guys?

JW: Just another driver in another car mate. Everyone will have to make their own arrangements I’m sure.

VM: Tell us about your supporters.

JW: Obviously I’m supported by my family. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity which not everyone gets. It would be a lot more lawns to mow otherwise! 🙂

Here is the Toyota Racing New Zealand feature video from last month with Jackson having his first look at the TRS cars.

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