RaceLab enters GT fray
Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand (TRGNZ) has confirmed a partnership with RaceLab to field its two GR Supra GT4 EVO chassis in next season’s GT Championship.
The team is celebrating one decade in Kiwi motorsport this year and during that time it’s been actively involved in a wide array of categories, including the Toyota 86 Championship, endurance racing and GTs.
Nicolas Caillol, motorsport manager at TGRNZ, says: “We’ve seen how well RaceLab has worked with young drivers in the Toyota 86 Championship. It has a passion for developing home talent and turning it into a world-class product.
“There are many synergies with our own long-term goals and reasons for being in motorsport, and they are a natural fit for us as we add this element to our New Zealand motorsport operation.”
RaceLab’s founder, Shane Helms, is confident the new car can shine in a challenging and competitive GT environment. Its engineers have already been to Europe and have a good idea of what’s to come, tuning the car to our challenging tracks.
“The NZ GT Championship is incredibly competitive with diverse grids of powerful cars and highly experienced drivers,” adds Helms.
“One of the main challenges is balancing performance within the series’ regulations while ensuring the car is at its peak across New Zealand’s unique circuits.
“Additionally, varying track conditions – from tight technical corners to high-speed straights – mean our cars need to be adaptable and reliable under any circumstance.
“There’s a steep learning curve, from understanding the car’s mechanical and aerodynamic behaviours to optimising it for different tracks.
“The GR Supra GT4 EVO [pictured above], although well-proven internationally, will require set-up adjustments to adapt to New Zealand’s circuits. It takes a lot of preparation, testing, and collaboration between drivers and engineers to unlock its full potential.
“However, we’re confident in our team’s expertise and Toyota’s support to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“We expect the GR Supra GT4 to be highly competitive. Its balance and agility should allow it to perform exceptionally well on tighter circuits, such as Highlands, while its power and top-end speed will be an asset on tracks like Teretonga Park.”
