Supercar chance in prize pool
Acareer in Supercars could be one step closer for two young Kiwi racers after Toyota Racing New Zealand confirmed its best-ever prize pool for the 2018-19 Toyota 86 Championship that starts in November.
The prizes offer two drivers not only to make a big step forward in their racing careers but also to catch the eye of the Supercars Championship teams. Top prize for the NZ series winner will be competing in all rounds of the 2019 Australian Toyota 86 Racing Series. The top rookie in New Zealand can be part of Toyota Racing Australia’s Invited Driver Programme at the 2019 Bathurst 1000 event.
“It’s a massive opportunity for up and coming drivers in the New Zealand series to put their names out there as potentially the next van Gisbergen, McLaughlin or Coulthard,” said category manager Geoff Short. “Given the high quality of the drivers already lined up for next season, it’s a given that the drivers who secure those prizes will be stand-out racers.”
The Australian series for Toyota 86 racers runs over six rounds which are televised and part of the Supercars Championship weekends. This season the Australian Series had rounds at Phillip Island in April, Townsville in July, The Bend SuperSprint The 2018-19 Toyota 86 Racing Championship will feature six rounds and new prize opportunities for the leading drivers. weekend in August, Sandown in September, with Bathurst in October and the Series concluding at the Newcastle 500 weekend in November.
“Overall it’s the best ever prize pool for the Toyota 86 Championship in New Zealand and completely reflects the Toyota Racing philosophy of finding the stars of tomorrow and making a young racing driver’s dream a reality,” Short said. “There’s a clear opportunity for two racers this season to carve out names for themselves at the most significant motorsport events in Australasia and it’s going to be fascinating to see who can make the most of the opportunity.”
The 2018-19 Toyota 86 Championship begins at the Supercars Championship at Pukekohe Park in November before joining the Speed Works Motorsport NZ Championship on Pukekohe’s original short course configuration.
The championship heads south to Highlands Motorsport Park and Teretonga before the NZ Grand Prix meeting at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in February. It concludes at Hampton Downs in March and a non-championship endurance racing weekend is at Taupo¯ a month later.