The Bridgestone GR86 Championship gets under way this weekend with a record field taking part in the first round at Taupo International Motorsport Park.
It’s a new look championship this year with the new generation GR86 on the grid and all the cars are now shod with new Bridgestone tyres from the category sponsor.
There is said to be a large field of drivers, most of whom are new to the series, that will see some 25 GR86s on the grid for the first round.
According to Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ; “the playing field is as level as it could be and that showed in the official test days at Taupo and Hampton Downs. On one day, the entire field was covered by just nine tenths of a second, suggesting the championship could be remarkably close fought”.
“The established runners like Justin Allen, John Penny, Harry Townshend, Hayden Bakkerus, Christina Orr-West and others could go well, but there is little or no evidence from the test days to suggest they will have any particular advantage.”
There will be drivers from Australia in the mix this year, and new entrants coming from karting, Formula First, Formula Ford and Mazda Series.
“We genuinely have no idea who will win races and the round this weekend and that’s very exciting as we enter this new era of racing for the 86,” says Category Manager Amanda Tollemache.
“There are new teams as well as new drivers and everyone has been on a steep learning curve. Some will adapt better than others and some may find the sweet spot of the car relatively quicker compared to others. Taupo is always hard on cars and hard on tyres though, so it really is going to be a fascinating weekend.
“One thing is certain, however, is that consistency and staying out of trouble are going to be major factors in putting together a championship challenge this coming season.”
Round 01: 22-24 November 2024, Taupo International Motorsport Park
Round 02: 17-19 January 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (International Layout)
Round 03: 31 Jan – 2 February 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 04: 7 – 9 February 2025, Highlands Motorsport Park, 69th New Zealand Grand Prix
Round 05: 21-23 March 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (National Layout)
Round 06: 11-13 April 2025, Taupo International Motorsport Park – Supercars
