White shows early form as Bridgestone GR86 Championship limbers up

Chris White and new team Neale Motorsport showed intent as the Toyota field took to the track for the first day of official practice at Round 1 of the 2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship.

Although times – at this stage – were relatively meaningless until the qualifying session on Saturday morning but even at this early stage, White and Neale are looking likely to be a serious combination in this season’s championship.

White topped the first and second sessions showing plenty of pace as he re-familiarised himself with his GR86 around the long international layout at Hampton Downs. A race winner last season and the championship’s Rookie of the Year, he edged out Cameron Hill in the morning session and Josh Bethune in the second session.

Reigning champion Hugo Allan was lurking near the top of the timesheets throughout the day, much as he did in the practice sessions during his championship winning campaign last season.

One fast run at the end of the day in the final session netted the fastest time. It should be a foregone conclusion that he will be at the front when the times matter on Saturday.

He could be joined by any of the 15 runners at the front of the field, but on Friday practice form, watch out for Bethune, White and Arthur Broughan.

In a field including nine Toyota 86 race winners, and the current champion as well as the best Rookie of last season, the front to the rear were covered by just over a second, despite plenty of experimentation on set up and tyres going on.

It’s highly likely – that even around the long circuit at Hampton Downs – that the racing will be even closer when the action gets underway with Saturday qualifying and the first race on Saturday afternoon.