The exciting new one-make Toyota TR 86 Championship series has released its inaugural calendar, and the category’s first season will include one round with the New Zealand Racing Drivers’ League at its Hampton Downs event on May 3 and 4, 2014.
League events are open to any class which would like an extra date in their championship calendar, or need dates at a choice of circuits to form a basis for their own series.
“It’s really great news for the League in its first year to be able to host the Toyota TR86s and there’s no question they will be a big draw card for the event next season,” said League co-organiser Chris Watson.
“They have a varied and interesting calendar that will give variety to the drivers and the teams and that’s great news for motorsport. That Hampton Downs meeting is shaping up to be quite an event, with Toyotas, NZ Sports Cars, Motul Honda Cup, the RRE rotary class, Superkarts, 2K Cup and Formula Ford already on the starting line-up and plenty of interest from other categories. Our motto for the League is a simple one – It’s Just Racing – and these great little cars will be a big hit in that environment.”
The TR 86 race car build programme is well advanced with all 20 cars being assembled at Toyota Racing’s Mount Wellington facilities. The cars will be delivered to their new owners in a handover at the Manfeild circuit near Feilding on the October 10 at the first official test day. the televised seven-round series will start at the Highlands Motorsport Park circuit at Cromwell in November before making its way north. Granted official championship status in its inaugural year, the series has recently confirmed a $20,000 cash prize fun for its inaugural season.
The League kicks off with the first of its four events over the next season with a massive fixture at Hampton Downs on September 28 and 29 that will see the BNT V8 SuperTourers lend its considerable weight to the launch event with the first round of its endurance series. Manfeild (March 1 and 2 2013), Taupo (April 5 and 6) and the finale at Hampton Downs on May 3 and 4 complete the schedule.
