Kiwi stars ready to race
Kiwi racers Tom Bewley and William Exton have been given a glimpse into “another world” as they prepare to show off their skills on Germany’s Nürburgring circuit.
The pair of Toyota 86 stars are spending a week in Europe and their adventure began with a visit to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s European headquarters in Cologne to try its World Endurance Championship (WEC) simulator.
Bewley and Exton were supervised by TGR Europe engineers for their sessions and they also met Matt Howson, manager of the KCMG team, for the first time.
Besides experiencing the simulator, the drivers took a peek behind the successful WEC programme run by Toyota Gazoo Racing and saw the computer numerical control machining facilities, the composites department, the engine dyno testing area and the wind tunnel.
It was all part of the build-up to them competing in a GR Supra GT4 EVO at the GT4 Germany Nürburgring this weekend.
“It was a Formula One facility once and it’s another world,” says Bewley. “Matt and the guys running the simulator were a massive help.
“Hopefully it’s all going to help us go straight out there and be comfortable and competitive from the word go. The whole team has been incredibly welcoming as well.”
Exton was struck by the size of the facility. “The whole place is huge, people biking around rather than walking and that was a real eye-opener,” he explains.
“I’ve never been on anything like the simulator, which is full motion, of course, but what an experience. Having data on that was also really helpful and I’ve already learned a lot.”
Nicolas Caillol, Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand motorsport manager, says the visit was the best way for the two drivers to begin their GT4 Germany week.
“Having the opportunity to get Tom and William in the highly professionally run simulator was a great experience and gives a good start for both drivers before heading onto the track for the first time.”
Bewley and Exton have since had a seat fitting and learned more about the GR Supra GT4 EVO they are driving this week.
There was also a track walk at the Nürburgring and three hours of testing ahead of the race meeting starting on Friday, August 16, when the pair will get another two one-hour sessions, which form free practice for the GT4 event.
On Saturday, there will be two 20-minute qualifying sessions and a one-hour race, and on Sunday the duo will tackle another one-hour race.
