In-form Townshend confident about Bridgestone GR86 season ahead

Hawkes Bay driver Harry Townshend is ready to put an impressive winter to work in the forthcoming 2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship and take another step towards the front of the grid.

Townshend scored his first podium in the highly competitive championship last season at Hampton Downs and during the winter scored his first race victories in a Toyota 86, in the Trophy series for older model cars. He completed his winter duties with a fine lights-to-flag victory over 25 laps at Taupo and says the whole winter experience has set him up for the season ahead.

“The winter series was a great chance to stay sharp and keep learning” explained Harry. “Having already done a season in the GR86, it gave me time to focus on the basics — things like consistency, race craft, and making smart decisions under pressure.

“I worked on improving my qualifying pace and race starts, and I’m stoked to have come away with second overall. It was a solid result and a good confidence boost heading into the new season.”

There are no major changes in the team line up compared to last season and Harry will fly the flag for usual title sponsor Bayswater Vehicles and hopefully several new secondary backers. Townshend says everything is in place and the rest is down to him.

“This season, I really want to take that next step and be up the front more consistently.

“I’ve got a year of GR86 experience behind me now, so it’s about putting that to use — being more aggressive in qualifying, racing smarter, and going after podiums and wins.

“I want to be a regular contender and push for a strong finish in the championship. The goal is pretty simple. Keep improving, be competitive every round, and fight for strong results.”

Townshend’s second season in New Zealand’s most competitive one make one model championship gets underway this week with official testing at Hampton Downs before the drivers and teams head to Hampton Downs – a Townshend favourite – for the first round at the end of October.

2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship

Round 1 - 31 October - 2 November 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Round 2 - 9 - 11 January 2026, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Round 3 - 23 - 25 January 2026, Teretonga Park, Invercargill

Round 4 - 30 January - 1 February 2026 70th New Zealand GP - Highlands Motorsport Park

Round 5 - 27 February - 1 March 2026, Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon

Round 6 – 10-12 April 2026 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - Supercars