Toyota keeps pricing low for 86 racer

TOYOTA has announced a sub-$70,000 price for its race-ready 86 sportscar, which has been developed to participate in the Toyota 86 Racing Series that kicks off this year.

The race package has been approved by Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) and is available to purchase through Neal Bates Motorsport (NBM).

The car-maker said in a release that four-times Australian rally champion and a Toyota ambassador Neal Bates developed the kit in collaboration with a number of specialists, to ensure the mandatory race package was “affordable, fast and durable”.

Included in the kit is an adjustable front and rear coil-over damping system produced by Queensland-based MCA, which is owned and run by motorsport identity and “suspension guru” Murray Coote.

The kit gets upgraded brakes over the standard 86 versions with larger rotors – 330mm up front and 316mm at the rear, AP racing callipers that are four-piston at the front and two-piston at the rear, and 18-inch OZ Asfalto alloy rims.

A Toyota Racing Development (TRD) engine oil cooler has been fitted to the 86 and the exhaust is custom made, while a specific locked Motec M150 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can be swapped between cars to ensure “parity on engine management”, according to Toyota.

Further additions include a unique rear spoiler, throttle stop and baffled sump pan for less than $25,000.

Mr Bates said the kit will benefit drivers of all ages and help them further develop their skills.

“In fine-tuning the 86 race package we've aimed for a balance between performance, tune-ability and budget,” he said.

“Drivers of all ages will benefit from the driveability we've added through the exhaust and ECU tune, at the same time developing their set-up skills with the adjustable coil-overs.” Keen amateur race drivers must also have the 86 fitted with a series-compliant roll-cage, a CAMS-compliant race seat and multi-point harness, which they can source independently, and are likely to cost between $12,000 to $15,000.

The Toyota 86 Racing Series is described as a “grass-roots initiative” that is geared towards helping emerging drivers further develop their skills “with a budget-conscious technical spec and straightforward category format”.

It costs $1500 per round, which is the lowest cost for any mainstream national series, and the prize pool is $125,000.

The series will run as a support program at some V8 Supercar events in 2016, and starts in May at Winton, with other rounds confirmed including Sydney Motorsport Park in August, Sandown in September, Bathurst in October and Sydney in November.