Posted: 22/08/2016
Round two for the Toyota 86 Racing Series (T86RS) is only a few days out, after an exhilarating introduction that took place at the Winton SuperSprint in May this year. The event will be running from the 26th - 28th of August, at the Sydney Motorsport Park with an expected 38 cars, ready to race. In 2016 the series runs over five events: May 20–22 (Winton SuperSprint), August 26–28 (Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint), September 16–18 (Sandown 500), October 6–9 (Bathurst 1000) and December 2–4 (Sydney 500).
The Toyota 86 Racing Series is designed for the purpose of providing an entry point and training ground for up-and-coming drivers. There are up to 5 selected professional drivers, who take on the role of mentoring around 27 amateur drivers, to then compete against them.
Placing well in this race rewards you with some pretty hefty prizes, a $125,000 prize pool to be exact. The winner can be walking away with $50,000 cash plus a $20,000 international VIP experience including flights and accommodation. Second place in the series gets you $30,000 cash with third place set to receive $15,000. In addition to the top three, a ‘’Rising Star” will be chosen. Winning themselves an entry into a round of New Zealand’s Toyota Finance 86 Championship, with flights and accommodation included.
To ensure fair competition, strict regulations in the way cars are set up have been put in place. Toyota has stated that “ Like similar one–make series races, the Toyota 86 Racing Series will demand competitors adhere to a strict car setup, ensuring that driver talent, rather than team budget, will be key to winning. The front engine, rear drive 86 is ideally suited to close racing due to its superb handling, with expected maximum speeds down Conrod Straight of about 230km per hour. The 86 race cars will be based on the GT and GTS manual with controlled key specifications to ensure suitability and reliability, while keeping costs as low as possible.”
The 86 is described as “ the ideal sports car, an unadulterated driver's car. A rear-wheel drive, front-engine sports car that brings back raw driving pleasure and excitement. A car that's designed to let you do all the driving and simply begs to be driven.” But don’t just take Toyota's word for it, check out the Toyota 86 Range for yourself at Chatswood Toyota!
http://toyotainventory.chatswoodtoyota.com.au/new-vehicles/86/gt/manual