The season at a glance
10/12 RACE WINS
11/12 PODIUM FINISHES
4/5 POLE POSITIONS
3 LAP RECORDS
The Full Story
After a successful MINI Challenge Trophy campaign, Toby would get an offer to race in the Lotus Cup Europe championship, taking the reins of an Elise S2, managed and maintained by Rob Sanderson Motorsport and Guy Jansen Tuning. Supporting the DTM championship, it would take him to many of the best tracks in Europe, and events with over 100K spectators.
After an unfortunate cancellation of the first two rounds due to Covid and weather, the championship would kick off at the legendary 'temple of speed' in Italy, Monza.
This would be Toby's first taste of the Elise S2 in race trim, and also of the track itself. Supporting the DTM for the weekend, it promised strong crowds and an electric atmosphere.
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Although the track did not suit the low straight line but high cornering speed of the S2, Toby managed to secure pole position on debut putting himself in prime position for the races.
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After a tough race-long battle with both his competitors and car temperatures, Toby brought home a win in both races of the weekend, in what was a strong opening performance of the year
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" To be racing here at Monza really is a dream come true, and to have such a strong weekend... I can't believe it. I really didn't expect to be in the fight here, as the track doesn't really suit our car, but we managed to make it work. Two tough races with the heat and it was so close... but yeah, very happy."
Once again supporting the DTM, the next round would be at Belgium's Zolder, a track with plenty of history, and a layout more suited to the lightweight nature of the S2.
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The weekend did not get off to the best of starts however, as Toby was caught up in a pit-exit incident during qualifying, forcing him to return to the pit box for repairs. The team did a stellar job to fix the damage, and Toby returned with time for only one flying lap.
He would end the session P2. A good result, but one short of their ambitions for the session.
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Toby would however go on to win race one, in a decisive drive, and putting him P1 for race two. As the clouds rolled in, it was clear it would be a wet race, and just as the lights went green, the heavens opened. After a race long battle, Toby would take the lead on the final lap of the race, taking victory in extreme conditons, and continuing his form.
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"We had high hopes for this weekend, as it really suits our car, but if I'm honest it was still a real challenge. Driving without ABS in these conditions is so tough and we really had our work cut out. Over the moon to continue our winning streak though, fingers crossed we can keep it going."
The Nürburgring GP track would be host to the next round in the championship. A track that Toby had previously raced at and one that should suit his car well.
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The team started the weekend well, with a pole position in qualifying and sights set on continuing their strong form in the races to follow. After gaining an early lead, Toby led decisively, and secured yet another win in race one. Race two was much of the same, with Toby managing to stretch out a gap to P2 in the early stages of the race. However, a mechanical fault began to starve the engine of power, and although it was not race critical at the time, would only get worse as the race went on. Toby managed the car well, and the early-race gap he had built proved crucial to keeping his lead in the closing stages of the race; he would cross the line as race winner, making it 6/6 race wins and stretching out his championship lead.
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" It's been a real rollercoaster of a weekend! I could feel the problem getting worse and worse in race two, it was the longest 25 minutes of my career! We've had really strong pace here though, and huge thanks to the team for giving me the tools for the job."
For the 4th round, the team would head to the world famous and iconic Circuit De La Sarthe, Le Mans. This would be the biggest race in the calendar for drivers and teams, with crowds being in excess of 80,000 and all taking place at a track so legendary within motorsport.
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It was business as usual though for Toby, and after a strong free practice, he would go on to secure his third pole position of the season. However, all the talk was on the forecast for the weekend, as it looked as though torrential rain would greet the drivers as they headed out for their first race of the weekend.
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And indeed it did! As the heavens opened, the cars hurtled towards turn one in a mass of spray and mist. Conditions became worse and worse as the race went on, with standing water and visibility becoming a real issue. Unfortunately, the conditons would catch Toby out, and a lock up into turn one would cost him the lead and P2. He finished the race third, just keeping a hold of the podium.
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Race two and three promised to be dry though, and as the sun shone, Toby's pace from qualifying was on full display, as he drove through the pack to take the lead and finish the final races of the weekend on the top step.
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" It's been amazing to race here this weekend and in front of so many spectators. Race one was probably one of the toughest races of my career to date, and if I'm honest I was just happy to finish. To win here though is very special, and I'll cherish the memory of being on that iconic podium, and on the top step."
And so it was off to the south of France for the championship finale. Circuit Paul Ricard would host the final round, a wide and fast track with a layout not so suited to the S2's strengths. Regardless, the team were highly motivated, as a strong result would seal the Championship.
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After yet another pole position, Toby led the pack into turn one, and after a hard and close race long battle, would take the win in race one of the weekend. A win in race two would now be enough to secure the championship, and as the lights went out to start the penultimate race of the season, the pressure was on.
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Another race long battle was had, with Toby trading paint all race and numerous lead changes seen on even a single lap. It was the number 85 of Toby Goodman, Rob Sanderson and Guy Jansen who would be victorious however, and the team would become Lotus Cup Europe Production champions.
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"It's been an incredible year. I can't thank the team enough for all of their hard work and for giving me such a strong car all season. It's been such a privilege to race at the venues we have this year and I have many memories I will never forget."
