Posted: 7/07/2016
The second round of the 2016 Toyota 86 Racing Series (Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint, August 26-28) cannot come quickly enough for a quartet of hard-charging drivers running under the Brian Hilton Motorsport banner, one of the new category's most enthusiastic entrants.
Ranging in age and race experience, all are committed to taking even bigger steps forward after strong displays in the series' opening round at the Winton SuperSprint (May 20-22).
Year 12 student Drew Ridge might be the junior member of the group, but with five years' experience in karting, including an Australian Junior Clubman title in 2014 and several successful dips into open-wheel categories here and overseas, he's made a strong start to his T86RS campaign.
Rising to 17th in the final race at Winton (from a giant field of 38 cars), Drew is getting to grips with production-based car racing and is looking forward to climbing even further up the field at Sydney Motorsport Park.
At the same time, another young T86RS competitor with impeccable motorsport bloodlines has connected with Brian Hilton Motorsport in 2016; 20-year-old Josh Hunter, grandson of 10-time national speedway sprintcar champion Garry Rush.
Starting off in karts at age nine, Josh has already enjoyed success in a number of categories, moving through junior open-wheelers to claim victory in the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series in 2012 before making selected appearances in Supercars.
Having taken a year off motor racing to focus on his growing business interests, Josh progressed rapidly over the Winton weekend, jumping 20 places in three races to finish 15th in the final event.
The next member of the Brian Hilton 'Fantastic Four' is former record-breaking swimming champion and karting ace Luke King, who lit up the Winton circuit with sixth and fifth places in the first two races before an unfortunate DNF halted his march towards the podium in race three.
Sitting in 11th position on the series ladder heading into round two, Luke is determined to maintain his fight with the front-runners at Sydney Motorsport Park.
And while many people claim to be 'living the dream', the fourth member of the Brian Hilton foursome, Gerard Maggs, is actually doing it.
The life-long car nut, motorsport enthusiast and successful businessman says: "I now find I have enough time to be a part of something I dreamed about when I was a teenager."
With the support of "a beautiful and understanding wife, and two wonderful children" Gerard is enjoying every moment of the T86RS experience and says "being a part of this series and having the opportunity to race at Bathurst is a dream come true".
Brian Hilton Motorsport general manager Paul Steer says T86RS drivers connected with the operation benefit from a dedicated driver development program focusing on everything from sponsorship management to on-track skills coaching.
Speaking from a new purpose-designed facility at Lisarow near Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, Steer adds the team's close connections with other categories here and overseas means it is well placed to provide a staircase of opportunity for driver progression beyond the T86RS.
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.