American racer Chloe Chambers will build on her W Series rookie season and contest the New Zealand-based Castrol Toyota Racing Series, becoming the seventh woman in the history of the series.
One of the most promising rookies in the 2022 W Series season, 18-year-old American Chloe Chambers is set to build on her experience in the Tatuus Formula Regional car and will join Giles Motorsport for the 2023 Castrol Toyota Racing Series.
Highly regarded as one of the top winter options for international single-seater talents eager to maximize their Super Licence points, Toyota Racing Series endured heavily disrupted seasons due to Covid restrictions in New Zealand, but the championship is looking to make a strong return in 2023.
Chambers enjoyed a trip to New Zealand in September, when she had the opportunity to complete a four-day test in Hampton Downs as well as a test day in Taupo - showing good speed in the Toyota FT-60 used in TRS. With W Series currently being on hold as the series attempts to secure funding, Chambers is evaluating alternatives.
“Although my 2023 plans are still to be determined, I am confident and very excited to be competing in the Toyota Racing Series,” Chloe Chambers said.
“I loved my time in New Zealand earlier in the year and Stephen [Giles, team manager of Giles Motorsport], the team and I worked very well together" - she continued.
"I’m looking forward to resuming racing and seeing what we can do. My experience with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has been excellent and I’m sure this series will pay off in my 2023 program. A huge thank you also to my sponsor Monoflo International, my family, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, Giles Motorsport and all my supporters for the opportunity.”
Chloe Chambers made her single-seater debut in 2021, when the young Chinese-born American driver contested the US F4 Championship. After only one season - which included a top ten finish - Chambers was invited to the W Series assessment tests in Arizona, where she was among the selected drivers for the collective test in Barcelona.
At her first experience of the more powerful Tatuus T-318 car, Chambers continued to impress and was chosen to team up with reigning champion Jamie Chadwick in the newly-formed Jenner Racing.
In her first ever race in the all-female championship, Chambers was seventh at the chequered flag - before a post-race penalty postponed her first point-scoring finish in W Series to the day after, when she was tenth in Miami's second race. Throughout her 2022 season, she was often just outside the top-ten, mostly finishing as the top rookie.
Chambers has also already experienced the Toyota FT-60 car in racing conditions, as a Toyota Racing Series and W Series partnership meant that the all-female championship used the Toyota-powered Tatuus in two rounds - Barcelona and Singapore - for logistic reasons.
“Chloe's test days earlier this year in the FT-60 showed us the potential she has coming into the Castrol Toyota Racing Series,” Stephen Giles continued. “Her consistent improvement and overall pace each day was outstanding and I look forward to having her join Giles Motorsport for the 2023 season."
Her New-Zealand campaign will start in January with the TRS opening round at Highlands Motorsport Park, which will be followed by four more race meetings at Teretonga, Mainfield, Hampton Downs and Taupo. The penultimate round will award the 67th New Zealand Grand Prix.
Chloe Chambers becomes the seventh female racer to enter the series, following Leanne Tander, Christina Orr-West, Tatiana Calderon, Michela Cerruti, Fiona Hamilton and Chelsea Herbert.
2023 Castrol Toyota Racing Series Calendar
13-15 January 2023 - Highlands Motorsport Park
20-22 January 2023 - Teretonga Park Raceway
27-29 January 2023 - Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon
3-5 February 2023 - Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park
10-12 February 2023 - Taupo International Motorsport Park
Happy to hear Chloe is doing so well. Congratulations on this new step!