Dream Racing Australia confirms first Toyota 86 signing

Lachlan Evennett has been confirmed as Dream Racing Australia’s first Toyota 86 signing for the remaining rounds of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup.

The 16-year old from Townsville has had a formative on-track season in 2024, adding this to his Aussie Racing Cars Super Series, National Formula Ford, and Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Scholarship Series appearances.

Evennett will make his debut at one of the biggest events on the Australian racing calendar at the Supercars enduro Sandown 500 in September, with his 86 machine backed by Backed by CM Security, Mike Carney Group and National Tiles.

Having only raced the previous model of 86, Evennett is looking forward to getting into the new spec GR86 built by the Neal Bates Motorsport team, and with a team that has great national pedigree.

“We know Dream Racing Australia from Trans Am, but through our connections, we know Nathan Herne who was at the team, and he has obviously gone on to progress well in his career,” said Evennett.

“I know the team has plenty of experience and I’m excited to get to work with them.

“Sandown is one of my favourite tracks. I really enjoyed it in Formula Ford and I really love the track and the layout. It’s a circuit that’ll be fun to race an 86 at and provides good racing.

“The new 86 is a little different to the previous model, but I think with the drivers in the category, it’s still a great environment to learn.

“Overall, the two should drive similarly, but after the Scholarship Series round at Queensland Raceway, joining the GR Cup was the next step to compete on those larger tracks like Bathurst and the close competition.”

New national Toyota 86 signee Evennett has been plying his trade in the state and national Formula Ford series’ in the past few seasons

It will also be the debut of the DRA team in the series, and they are planning on tackling both Sandown and Bathurst with a two-car setup.

Craig Scutella Director of Dream Racing Australia says that he’s impressed by the 16-year old’s attitude both on and off the track, and is also excited to debut the DRA team in the TGRA GR86 Cup series.

“DRA is extremely proud to debut in the TGRA GR86 Cup series at the Penrite Oils 60th Anniversary event at historic Sandown with Lachlan Evennett,” said Scutella.

“Lachlan is a super talented teenager, has achieved great results already and is a smart and respectful lad off the track, with a huge thirst for knowledge and motor racing intelligence.

“Cameron Fisher, Kim Jane, and Glenn Seton are all excited to start working with Lachlan as the first of our two-car race team. Probably not the best to start halfway through the race season but our crew are fast learners with 100+ years of race experience/skills so we will be on a quick learning curve.”

Dream Racing Australia and Evennett’s Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup debut will form part of the Penrite Oils Sandown 500 on September 13-15.

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