Toyota GR86 race car ready, set, go!

TOYOTA has pulled the covers from its new GR86 race car this week ahead of the model’s debut at the 2024 TGRA 86 Series.

Based on the newly introduced GR86 road car (from $43,340 plus on-road costs), the track-prepared model is specially prepared by Neal Bates Motorsport and is available for competitors to order with a turn-key package priced from $89,990.

The new-generation ‘86’ racer features a full roll cage, race seat, six-point harness, motorsport-spec’ steering wheel, ECU and instrumentation, control wheels and tyres, upgraded suspension, brake, exhaust, oil cooler and clutch, but is otherwise standard.

Maximum engine power and torque rises by approximately 10 per cent over the road-going model’s 174kW/250Nm, the model also some 70kg lighter than the registerable GR86.

Toyota Australia said approximately 35 race cars will be available for competitors to order for the 2024 TGRA 86 Series season and that other performance specifications will be confirmed once final testing and validation is completed later this year.

Toyota says the new race car was unveiled to current competitors in the TGRA 86 Series at the end of season dinner at Bathurst this past weekend where Lachlan Gibbons took out the 2022 TGRA 86 Series title.

Gibbons finished the season with a total of 1275 points earned over the course of five rounds with rival Zach Bates finishing a close second with 1232 points, and Jobe Stewart completing the 2022 TGRA 86 Series podium in third place on 940 points.

In addition to announcing the top three podium places that each received prize money of $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000 for first, second and third respectively, Toyota also presented a number of other awards.

The Kaizen Award for continuous improvement went to Brisbane-based 17-year-old Jarrod Hughes who received a trip to the US to attend the iconic Daytona 500 in 2023 and go behind the scenes and meet the people that run Toyota's championship-winning NASCAR campaign.

Townsville based Madison Dunston proved to be as active on social and digital media as she is on the racetrack and took home a $1000 gift card from Hino for the Publicity Star award.

Third generation race driver Clay Richards – son of Steven and grandson of Jim – proved talent runs in the genes winning The Toyota Way award and a $2000 parts voucher from Toyota's National Parts and Accessories Division for exemplifying The Toyota Way principles including continuous improvement and respect for people.

“For seven years, the TGRA 86 Series has proven to be the perfect development ground for aspiring professional race drivers and those passionate weekend warriors who just love racing,” said Toyota Australia chief marketing officer Vin Naidoo.

“I'd like to congratulate Lachlan Gibbons on his hard-fought win for the title after an epic battle all season with Zach Bates. And our congratulations also go to Zach, in second place after winning all three races in the final round at Bathurst, Jobe in third, and all the other award winners.

“Toyota is committed to supporting all the teams and drivers in the TGRA 86 Series and earlier this year, we announced that we would extend that support through to the end of 2026, and I'm very excited to be unveiling the new GR86 race car that will make its debut in the 2024 season.

“Neal Bates and his team have worked hard to make this an incredibly sharp, affordable race car that I'm sure will continue to make the TGRA 86 Series one of the most hotly contested on the Australian motorsport calendar,” he said.

Mr Naidoo congratulated all the winners on their awards in what has been a thrilling return to racing after two years of sporadic events due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

“The 2022 TGRA 86 Series has again proven to be an outstanding series with hugely competitive grids and plenty of exciting racing action for drivers and motorsport fans,” said Mr Naidoo.

“I want to congratulate all the 2022 award winners and the many other teams and drivers that make the TGRA 86 Series one of the best categories on the calendar and look forward to another year of racing on some of Australia's most iconic circuits in 2023.”