MOTORSPORT: Toyota ramps up 86 Racing Series for 2017

Some of the nation’s best up-and-coming racers will compete for $125,000 in prize money in 2017, with Toyota confirming a carry-over formula for its successful 86 Racing Series.

Following an inaugural campaign in 2016 that was oversubscribed with competitors, the Japanese marque officially launched the new season of its one-make series on Monday with a test session at the Sydney Motor Sport Park.

Other than new drivers and new tracks, the series will continue in the same direction for the 2017 calendar year, stakeholders confirmed.

Toyota 86 Racing Series category administrator Neil Crompton said the championship would continue to operate as an undercard to the Virgin Australia Supercars.

“There will be five events in 2017,” Crompton said.

“As for the cars, we’ve pretty much polished them and left them alone in 2017. We were able to produce bulletproof low-cost cars in the first year … and we were surprised at how little money was needed to propel the car’s through the calendar year.

“This was the motorsport equivalent of petty cash.”

The five events in 2017, coinciding with the Supercars championship, comprise the Phillip Island SuperSprint (April 21–23), Townsville 400 (July 7–9), Sydney SuperSprint (August 18–20), Bathurst 1000 (October 5–8) and Newcastle 500 (November, date TBC).

Toyota has committed to a three-year deal running its one-make series. The inaugural season last year saw consistent high-density fields, and a wealth of competitors of varying skill and background.

“I’m happy to confirm the prize pool remains the same at $125,000. The entry fee of $1500 per round is the lowest of any national series,” Toyota Australia executive director Tony Cramb said.

Overall first place in the series will take out $50,000 in prize money, second place $30,000 and third place $15,000.

Cramb confirmed that three professional drivers would participate in the 2017 season. Each will be on hand to mentor, with two also taking part in the on-track action.

Series’ technical director Neal Bates said the cars were unchanged from 2016, save for a modified clutch and flywheel. Focussing on safety, reliability and cost minimisation, key changes include modifications to the engine ECU, tyres, exhaust, brakes, suspension, roll cage and aero kit, while Crompton’s AirTime Autosport will manage the category.

Entries to the 2017 86 Racing Series will open later this week.

“Based on today’s car count, we’re expecting similar numbers to last year: maybe in the high 30s or low 40s,” Crompton said.