Baker targets rookie success in debut Bridgestone GR86 Championship season

Fourteen-year-old Miles Baker is targeting success in the rookie class in his first season in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship.

The Hamilton driver will be the youngest in the field when he takes to the track in his Mackenzie Motorsport-run Toyota GR86 at the championship’s first round next month.

Baker recently secured the 2026 Tony Quinn Foundation GR86 Shootout at Hampton Downs, earning a $54,000 support package towards his upcoming campaign in the championship.

It was proof that the 14-year-old is one of the next generation of Kiwi racing talent, something which became evident very quickly when he raced in the Toyota 86 Trophy Series over the winter – securing a podium finish on debut. The grassroots series was an important first step.

“I definitely learned how important qualifying and getting good race starts are in the Toyota 86 and I know they will be the key again in the GR86 as passing is very hard with the cars all being totally equal,” he explained.

“The racing is hugely challenging,” he added. “I don’t think anyone really understands how hard it is to pass in a Toyota 86 until they race them. But I firmly believe that’s why this championship has produced so many great champions.”

A successful campaign – supported by the Tony Quinn Foundation, Dr Plumber, CSR Electrical, Urban Fix and Strata Networks – will see Miles make a big step towards his long-term goal – Supercars.

“If I am successful in this championship and over the next few years the goal for me would to be get to Supercars via Super 2.

“That would be an absolute dream come true, but it will be very hard to do. I know that. But for now, doing well and being competitive in the rookie championship in the GR86 will be the main focus. I know success in that alone is enough to get you noticed.”

In the meantime, he is looking forward to being part of New Zealand’s premier motorsport championship series – The Repco NextGen NZ Championship series.

“I am really excited for this season in general, not just because I know the racing in the GR86 is going to be close and a lot of fun but also because we will race at events supporting categories like the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy,” he added.

“And on top of that, once the Repco NextGen series is complete, we’re on the Supercars bill for a non-championship round.

“At our level, it doesn’t get any better than that.”.