Grassroots racers set to star as Toyota 86 Trophy Series begins this weekend

Grassroots Toyota 86 motorsport gets underway this weekend at Hampton Downs at the NZIGP Finale meeting and it promises to showcase some of the best young talent in New Zealand – as well as a few more familiar faces.

The ten-car field includes several rising stars who have enjoyed eye-catching starts to their motorsport careers – such as CareVets Scholarship winner Taylor Mitchell and TA2 star Toby Elmiger. Both know how to win races and should be to the fore this weekend. The first practice sessions around the North Waikato track were earlier today with race action from Saturday.

Elmiger particularly has caught the eye since he debuted in the Trophy Series last season and perhaps starts this campaign as favourite for winter honours. Mitchell impressed hugely to win the scholarship prize and is highly motivated to do well as he sets out on Toyota’s pathway.

Another to watch should be Nieko Scoles, who like Mitchell comes from a well-known and highly-respected motorsport family.

Nieko impressed on his debut in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship at Highlands at the NZ Grand Prix meeting back in February and taking part in this year’s Trophy series was always part of the long-term plan. Just 16, he has nonetheless amassed plenty of racing miles in his 86 over the past three seasons and could spring a surprise or two this weekend.

Nathan Grammer is another to have been quietly racking up the winter mileage in endurance racing ahead of the series and should be able to perform to a significantly higher level than in his debut series this time last year. He will certainly be a contender for podiums at least.

Riley Boswell will be carrying the familiar colours of Dayle ITM amongst his sponsors as he embarks on a full four round campaign. Another 16-year-old, Riley has been building a reputation as a stand-out racer in the BMW series in recent seasons having started karting at the tender age of just seven. Another, clearly, to watch not just over the coming four rounds but as a future prospect for NZ motorsport.

Queenstown’s Josh Hill is yet another 16-year-old in the field looking to use the series as a springboard for the next step of a motorsport career. And he’s another arriving at Hampton Downs with an impressive period of preparation behind him.

Josh will be aiming to take some impressive form from his most recent events into the forthcoming Toyota 86 Trophy Series. He recently completed his first race series outside of karts – winning Class 3 of the Jackson Orchard Sprint Series aboard his Toyota 86 and in the process the Toyota 86 Grant Aitken Perpetual Trophy.

He was supported in his campaign by a couple of notable names – Paul Blomqvist and former Toyota 86 Championship star William Exton.  He must surely be a dark horse for some significant results and performances.

Less familiar names include Marcel Bartley and Mitch Vye – but both have done the hard yards in getting themselves onto the grid for this weekend on the back of race appearances over last season at club level series.

Last, but by no means least, Mark Mallard – one of the sport’s most significant ambassadors and supporters - takes to the track again this weekend in his own TR86, a familiar car that has carried him and son Thomas through various campaigns over recent years.

Mark is recovering from a minor stroke so just getting out there on the track can be considered a huge success. This weekend Thomas has the role of team manager. He’ll be up to speed quickly and is guaranteed to make the most out of his racing weekend.

2026 Toyota 86 Trophy Series

Round 1: 16 and 17 May at Hampton Downs (NZIGP Season Finale)

Round 2: 20 and 21 June at Taupo Motorsport Park (Taupo Car Club Winter Series)

Round 3: 4 and 5 July at Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon (Feilding Auto Electrical Winter Series)

Round 4: 1 and 2 August at Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon (Feilding Auto Electrical Winter Series)