Winter is coming and the TR86s return to do battle

The cut and thrust of Toyota TR86 racing – so long a New Zealand favourite -  returns this weekend at Hampton Downs as the brand new Toyota 86 Trophy Series gets underway.

The TR86 model – one of New Zealand’s most popular sports cars – provided race fans with thrilling action until the new GR86 racer was introduced for last season.

The iconic TR86 races on, however, in the all-new four round winter series which takes on Hampton Downs, Manfeild and two visits to the Taupo circuit.

Two classes compete for race wins, the Trophy Class covers most of the field but the Winter Series class is for those drivers who have raced in the Bridgestone GR 86 Championship or equivalent series. Practice takes place on Friday and all of the qualifying and race action will take place on Saturday.

A 20 minute qualifying session for the field – a 10 car opener for the first round – is followed by the first race, an eight lapper. The second 10 lap race later in the day will have a grid formed on the fastest times the drivers clock in the first race.

There’s plenty of quality in the field too. Corbyn Sprague and Conley Webley come from the South Island and bring plenty of pedigree while the performances of Nathan Grammer, Toby Elmiger and Lee Zeltwanger will also be under the spotlight.

Endurance racer Kyan Davie and former TR86 Championship racer Noel Simpson could also go well and watch out for young Matt Day, racing the ex- Orr-West TR86 in its familiar Dayle ITM yellow livery for the family team.

The Winter Series class features two drivers who both scored podium finished in the GR86 Championship, Harry Townshend and young Ajay Giddy.

Both know the Bridgestone tyre that is being used in the Winter Series and can be expected to go well. Townshend will be reunited with the TR86 he drove- for two seasons before switching to the GR86 for his 2024-2025 championship campaign.