MOTORSPORT: Toyota 86 Racing Series extended to 2020

Toyota Australia has announced a two-year extension of its one-making 86 Racing Series.

The well-received support category will continue to operate as an undercard to the Supercars championship until the end of the 2020 season, stakeholders confirmed today.

Toyota Australia chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel also confirmed an increase in prize money, to $150,000.

“As we enter year three, I’m delighted to announce that the 86 Racing Series has been extended for a further two years,” he said.

“This guarantees that the 86 Racing Series will continue to feature in the Supercars championship until at least the end of 2020.”

Graduates of the 86 Racing Series include Cameron Hill, now a driver in the Porsche Carrera Cup, and Will Brown, who currently drives in the Dunlop Super2 Series.

The class of 2018 introduces 15-year-old Broc Feeney, son of top-level 1980s motorcycle racer Paul Feeney. Returning drivers include Tim Brook, the series lap record holder at two circuits, who has entered his own road car for 2018.

The 2018 competition has been extended to six rounds and four States -- adding South Australia with its new Bend Motorsport Park for the first time.

Stakeholders confirmed today that entry fees remain unchanged at $1500 a round in 2018. Jason Bargwanna has been appointed as a permanent mentor for the series.

To keep costs down, changes to vehicle control measures are minimal: updated tyres and adjustable rear control arms. However, competitor cars must pre-date 2017 to ensure parity.

“In a further boost, more up and coming drivers will get a share of the prize pool, which increases from $125,000 to $150,000 a year,” Gabriel said.

Series place-getter prize money has been extended to eighth place while retaining the previous top-three place rewards of $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000.

The monetary value of the coveted Kaizen Award, for continuous improvement, is now $35,000.

The 86 Racing Series season opener will be held at the Phillip Island in Victoria on April 20-20. Entrant numbers for that particular round are already in excess of 40 drivers.

“Any time you’ve got that level of stability in motorsport, you’re controlling the cost. It’s a simple but very effective formula … 18 races at a variety of tracks,” category administrator Neil Crompton said.

“These cars are affordable, forgiving and responsive … we think we’ve got the formula pretty well right.”

2018 Toyota 86 Racing Series calendar:
April 20-22 – Phillip Island
July 6-8 – Townsville
August 24-26 -- Bend Motorsport Park
September 14-16 – Sandown
October 4-7 – Mount Panorama
November 23-25 – Newcastle