New era of Toyota racing ready to go

This weekend’s Townsville 500 marks the start of a new era for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup.

The new Toyota GR86 racecar will make its racing debut at Townsville and a strong grid of 32 cars make it an occasion to remember.

The field will be a strong mix of youth and experience from seasoned Supercars winners to teenagers looking to make a name for themselves.

The most recognisable name on the grid will be 13-time Supercars race winner Fabian Coulthard.

The current Walkinshaw Andretti United co-driver will represent Toyota in a factory backed #86 machine.

Also sporting Toyota colours will be another familiar face in Jayden Ojeda, who also raced in the championship last year taking a win and a pole.

Funnily enough Coulthard will be racing against WAU with the Supercars team represented by academy driver Matthew Hillyer.

Other Supercars teams that will be on show are Blanchard Racing Team and Tickford.

BRT is sporting two cars led by the son of Steven Richards, Clay and the younger brother of Tim Blanchard, Harrison.

Tickford is also sporting a familiar family name with Rod Nash’s son Charlie having a crack in the Toyota.

They are just some of 12 new drivers and teams that are joining the one-make series, including 15-year-old Lincoln Taylor.

There are also some returning drivers with 2023 Kaizen Award winner for continual improvement Ryan Tomsett and the 2022 Series Champion Lachie Gibbons expected to be near the front of the field.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup is now in its ninth year and Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer Vin Naidoo cannot wait to see the new chapter.

“The TGRA 86 Series, now called the GR CUP reflecting the new racecar, has always been one of the premier support categories for the Supercars Championship offering a real opportunity for aspiring professional drivers to learn and hone their racecraft on some of Australia’s most iconic circuits,” he said.

“This year, we’re seeing a whole new group of passionate drivers joining our racing community and I’d like to wish everyone the very best of luck for the season.

“With a new car in the GR86 that is lighter, faster and more agile, and expertly built by our partner Neal Bates Motorsport, we are looking forward to a full season of thrilling racing action, for drivers and fans alike.”

Following the Townsville opener, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup heads to Sydney Motorsport Park, Sandown, Mount Panorama and Gold Coast, which are all Supercars rounds.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup is the top tier following the TGRA Scholarship Series which will conclude with rounds at Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park in August and September respectively.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup entry list

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.