Lining up for GR86

Drivers of 23 cars have completed Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand’s official two-day test at Hampton Downs ahead of the opening round 2024/25 Bridgestone GR86 Championship.

Lap times were at least two seconds per lap faster around the shorter national circuit layout than the old TR86 model, with most racers putting that down to slightly more power, better braking and a step up in grip thanks to the Bridgestone tyre.

“The tyre is excellent, very good,” says series regular Justin Allen. “There’s quite a bit that’s similar to the older car, but there’s more grip in all the corners from the Bridgestone. 

“It’s quite something to make a two-second gain on a circuit that’s a minute and a quarter long, so I think we can look forward to some impressive performances.”

The other talking point was how close the 23-strong field was in testing. With the fastest lap times in the mid-one minute, 14-second bracket, the top 20 cars were covered by less than a second. 

That delighted category manager Amanda Tollemache, who says fans can look forward to some super-competitive racing.

“For years we’ve got used to saying how close the field has been with a second or so covering the top 10 and a couple of seconds across the whole field,” she adds. 

“It’s going to be even closer this year and consistency is going to be even more important.

“There were a lot of good performances during the test, but it was too close to call on predicting a pre-season favourite and the championship really is going to be wide open this year. Potentially, any of the drivers could be in the mix.”

The first round of the 2024/25 Bridgestone GR86 Championship is being held in Taupo over the weekend of November 22-24.