‘Benchmark’ driver returns

Justin Allen is the most experienced Toyota 86 racing driver in New Zealand and says he is raring to go for his eighth season in the championship

The Feilding racer has confirmed his spot for the 2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship after finishing third overall last season, which was the first campaign featuring the second-generation 86. 

The NAPA Autoparts-backed driver will run as part of the Syndicate Motorsport operation, a factor he says was important in his success last season.

“It was very important that as a team we went our own way and it allowed us to stand out in our first season as well as flying under the radar in terms of the way we strategised our races and set up our cars,” he explains.

“We knew we had the basis of a good team, [we had] very experienced mechanics and engineers and our results were able to show how hard we worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Also, maybe showed that I’m still a capable driver.”

Nicolas Caillol, Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand motorsport manager, has watched Allen race in each of his seven previous seasons.

“Over the years, many one-make, one-model series have featured drivers who remain competitive in the championship for many seasons rather than moving to other categories,” he says.

“The reality is that those drivers often become something of a benchmark in that series. Justin is definitely a benchmark in Bridgestone GR86.

“At the end of last season he was clearly one of the pacesetters and took three wins in an exceptionally competitive season.

“It’s fantastic to welcome him back for season number eight with us and we expect him and his team to be a force to be reckoned with over the course of the six rounds.”

The Bridgestone GR86 Championship begins at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs and will conclude at the Supercars weekend at Taupo in April.