Posted: 22/08/2016
A full complement of 38 cars will be on the grid for the second round of the Toyota 86 Racing Series, a key support category at this weekend’s Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint (Aug 26–28).
All competitors from the new series’ successful debut at the Winton SuperSprint have backed up with entries for round two as the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship makes its first visit to NSW in 2016.
Category technical director, four-time Australia rally champion and Toyota ambassador Neal Bates said 20 teams took the opportunity to fine-tune set-ups and get to grips with the western Sydney circuit’s challenging layout at a recent open practice day.
“Such a huge turn-out for pre-race testing confirms the field’s enthusiasm and commitment,” Neal Bates said.
“More than half the competitors have travelled from interstate for this event, and there’s no doubt they’re all taking it seriously.”
At the same time, a clash of racing commitments has forced Alex Davison to defer his appearance as an invited Toyota 86 Racing Series driver, with experienced Supercars ace Steve Owen now joining Dean Canto and Cameron McConville for the weekend.
Toyota is adding these selected professional racers to the starting line-up to assist entrants on and off track, with different drivers brought in throughout the season.
A former Sandown 500 and Gold Coast 600 winner, Owen has twice finished second at the Bathurst 1000 (including 2015), this year pairing with Supercars front-runner Chaz Mostert for another assault on ‘The Great Race’.
“One-make racing is always exciting, and from all reports the 86 racing cars are great little things,” Steve Owen said.
“When I’m not racing, my main game is driver training and track coaching, so I think I can help the regular competitors with a tip or two.”
The Toyota 86 Racing Series
The Toyota 86 Racing Series is designed to provide an entry point and training ground for up-and-coming drivers, offering a confirmed prize pool of $125,000.
Open to all manual variants of Toyota's cult-classic sports car*, the series is part of the support program at selected rounds of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
In 2016 the Toyota 86 Racing Series runs over five events: May 20–22 (Winton SuperSprint), August 26–28 (Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint), September 16–18 (Sandown 500), October 6–9 (Bathurst 1000) and December 2–4 (Sydney 500).
For regular updates and more information go to toyota.com.au/86/racing-series.
Disclaimer:
* Must be Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliant, fitted with Neal Bates Motorsport mandatory race package, and equipped with Confederation of Australian Motorsport mandated safety equipment.