ANDREW Tang created a piece of history today when he became the first non-New Zealander to win the 10-year-old Toyota Racing Series.

The Singaporean driver, 19, wrapped up the five-stop championship by finishing third in the final race at Manfeild.

He had gone into the weekend leading the standings by seven points, with four others still in the title hunt.

Briton Jann Mardenborough finished second in a 23-strong field, which also included rivals from Estonia, Russia, Switzerland and Brazil.

Tang's success was made sweeter by the fact that he had had to apply for a deferment from his national-service enlistment to compete the series.

He had been due to begin his basic training on Feb 4 but was granted permission on Jan 30 to finish his racing in New Zealand.