The GR86 Championship New Zealand (known for commercial reasons as the Bridgestone GR86 Championship New Zealand) is a one-makesports car racing series by Toyota based in New Zealand. Toyota GR86 Championship cars are based on the Toyota 86 (GR86).[1]
After the rousing success of the Toyota Racing Series open wheel racing series that had garnered international attention, the TR86 championship was conceived as a means for providing a viable - both practically and financially - grassroots pathway for young up-and-coming drivers, as well as 'gentlemen drivers'. The purchase price of a vehicle was $78,000 plus GST and included a Motec data dash as well as an additional set of 18-inch alloy wheels. The cars were also eligible to be adapted for various other categories of motorsport outside the championship.[2]
The first season of the championship took place in 2013 and was run across six rounds throughout the New Zealand summer. A scheduled three-hour endurance race at Pukekohe Park Raceway was cancelled. The inaugural grid comprised a mix of established, seasoned drivers as well as Toyota Racing Series alumni. One of these drivers, Jamie McNee, would become the inaugural champion.
Chris White
Current season
