Oscar on Targett for TGRA 86 and Porsche Sprint

Young Queensland racer Oscar Targett is about to embark on a big year as part of the Grove Junior Team, starting this weekend in a Toyota 86 at SMP.

Targett, a junior FIA Karter from Queensland with European credentials and experience, will step into a Toyota 86 at SMP this weekend in the TGRA 86 Scholarship Series, in a bid to qualify for the main game 86 season starting in July.

As a part of the Grove Group, Targett will also contest the Porsche Sprint Challenge, with his first round coming at the Queensland Raceway on April 28-30, where he will also be supported by Earl Bamber Motorsport.

“For the 2023 season I begin my move from Karting into cars with the amazing team at Grove Racing,” Targett said.

“I’m extremely excited and fortunate to be competing in both the Toyota 86 and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. 

Oscar will benifit from being around the Penrite Racing team this season

“We have done 2 days testing in the Porsche with the team at Earl Bamber Motorsport where I have been happy with my speed. This weekend we start off at Sydney Motorsport Park in the Toyota 86 scholarship series. 

“I have a lot of learning to do this year to prepare myself for the future but I’m up for the challenge and keen to get to work.”

Grove Racing’s team owner, Stephen Grove, is looking forward to watching Targett progress through the team’s system.

“We are very proud to be supporting Oscar as he transitions to car racing this year. It is an exciting stage in his career and the start of what we believe will be a long and successful one,” Grove said.

“Oscar’s capability is highly impressive, and it was evident from the moment we met him that he embodies all the values we look for in our junior drivers. 

Targett did some testing at SMP ahead of his TGRA 86 Scholarship Series debut

“Racing both the Porsche Sprint Challenge and Toyota 86 Racing Series will allow him to build his door-to-door race craft as well as his speed which is our main focus through this season. 

“We are all excited to see what he can achieve this year.” 

Penrite Racing’s David Cauchi also provided some comment on the talent of Targett, and that being around the Supercars drivers will aid his progression. 

“Grove Racing are proud to be a part of Oscar development so far and we will continue to support him to build the foundation of his professional racing career. 

Having access to the resources of the Supercars team and our drivers Matt Payne, Dave Reynolds and Garth Tander will be valuable to his learning.”

Targett has already done some testing in a Porsche with Grove Racing ahead of his Porsche Sprint Challenge debut in late April

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.