TOYOTA 86’s FOR AT LEAST TWO MORE YEARS

Toyota 86 Racing Series to continue for two more years – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

WITH JUST over two weeks to the opening round, the popular Toyota 86 Racing Series has been confirmed for at least another two years, going through 2019 and 2020.

There will also be an increased prize pool, very slight technical changes, and a grid of over 40 for the opening round at Phillip Island. These announcements came at the series media launch held today (Tuesday) at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“Our decision to extend the Toyota 86 Racing Series gives certainty to competitors and potential entrants who need to know that their investment in the car and racing package will enable them to compete for several years,” said Toyota’s chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel.

“In its first two years, the series has shown its ability to develop drivers and teams in a professional environment, while delivering the door-to-door action that excites motorsport fans.

“The comparatively low cost of cars and racing attract a range of drivers, from those still at school right through to businessmen wanting some fun.”

The series has appointment Bathurst 1000 winner Jason Bargwanna as the designated mentor for entrants

Well-credentialed drivers in current Bathurst 1000 winner Luke Youlden, 1998 1000 victor Jason Bright, and multiple champion New Zealander Chris Pither, have been included on the guest driver rostrum joining Jonathan Webb, Leanne Tander, Warren Luff, Steve Owen and rally star Harry Bates.

The series prize pool has been increased to $150,000 with competitors finishing the year from fourth to eighth places now sharing in the cash. Top-three place rewards for the year are $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000.

The year the cars will use the later variant of the Dunlop control tyre, the Direzza Z3 rather than the Z2 as raced on in last year. The year the rear control arms will become adjustable to assist rear camber. The Toyota 86 model cut-off will remain 2016.

“The reason for that is that there are updates on the new cars where they have more power and a few differences,” said technical director Neal Bates. “We didn’t want people spending more money to have updates on their current cars.

The Kaizen Award for continuous improvement includes prizes valued up to $35,000 including a fully funded trip to compete in a round of New Zealand’s 86 racing series. The entry fee is unchanged at $1,500 per round.

The series has expanded to 18 races over six rounds, one more that the five of 2017. This year kicks off on April 20-22 at Phillip Island, followed by Townsville in July and South Australia’s new the Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in August, Sandown 500 in September, Bathurst in October, before concluding in Newcastle.

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