Toyota one-make series announced

Toyota Australia has cosied up to V8 Supercars even further today with the announcement of a one-make 'Pro-Am' racing series for its 86 sports coupe.

The announcement of the series, to be run exclusively at a limited number of V8 Supercar events in 2016, comes on the back of the decision of affiliate Lexus to provide safety and medical cars to the series.

The series will be run under the banner of Toyota Racing Australia and will be sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).

The rounds at which the 86 GTs will race in 2016 are yet to be confirmed. Toyota Australia has committed to supporting the series for three years.

To be eligible for the series the race cars must be based on 86 GT coupes. Toyota will control "key specifications" and modifications are limited.

Toyota says its aim is to keep the costs of competing affordable. It says it will "subsidise" the cost of parts for competitors.

The initiative is intended to provide "an affordable, grassroots motorsport series". In this respect the one-make series will be similar to those already underway in Japan, Germany and New Zealand.

The one-make car and the rules under which it will be built and raced have been developed in conjunction with Toyota fixture and multi-times Australian rally champion, Neal Bates. Neal Bates Motorsport (NBM) will play an active role in the supply of components for the cars, with Bates himself assisting competitors.

As the name suggests, the Toyota 86 Pro-Am series will in fact go one step further – up to five nominated professional drivers will participate in the series and will mentor amateur drivers on and off the track. The drivers have not yet been named.

Toyota Australia Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Tony Cramb, formally announced plans for the series at the 2015 V8 Supercars championship opening round in Adelaide today.

"The dynamic abilities and fun-to-drive characteristics of the 86 provide a credible platform for motorsport – and many owners compete regularly in tarmac rallies and other events... Today, it's time for us to outline the company's support for these customers," the Toyota sales boss stated.

"The one-make race series will start next year – giving everyone who wants to compete plenty of time to prepare...

"[It] will present genuine, dynamic and entertaining racing to a broad audience, including 'live' spectators and those watching on free-to-air and pay TV," Cramb stated.

The 86 racer features track-focussed suspension and brake packages, plus roll cage and safety gear. Engine and associated modifications are limited to extractors and exhaust, a 'control' ECU and oil cooler. Wheels and tyre choice will also be controlled but are yet to be specified.

motoring.com.au participated in an exclusive shakedown of the Pro-Am series prototype and can report the vehicle should provide close racing and plenty of smiles (MS: as well as panel sales!).

Bates has already extensively tested the car and posted surprisingly rapid lap times at Mt Panorama (2min 42.6sec), Wakefield Park (1min 8.7sec) and Winton Motor Raceway (1min 37.8sec).

Toyota 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada will be 'patron' of the series. Since the 86's introduction in mid-2012 Tada has had a close relationship with the local operation.

"My dream is that one day we can have a World 86 Challenge with the best drivers from Japan, Europe and other markets – and the champion Toyota 86 driver from Australia," he said in Toyota's press release re the new series.

Toyota will release further details on the series in coming months. Competitors are encouraged to register their interest via the Toyota 86 Pro Am series' website.