Bucklands Beach racing driver Zach Blincoe is targeting the Rookie title in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive first ever Bridgestone GR86 Championship.
Eighteen-year-old Blincoe is another impressive graduate of Formula Ford joining the first championship for the new generation GR86 and will be part of Mackenzie Motorsport’s impressive line-up when the big field of new cars takes to the track for the first time next weekend at Taupo International Motorsport Park.
Blincoe switched to single seaters from karting in 2020, debuting in the popular Manfeild Formula First Winter Series, where he scored an early podium finish. A full campaign in the 2021 New Zealand Formula First Championship brought ten podium finishes and two wins on his way to third place in a championship that has produced the likes of Scott Dixon, Shane Van Gisbergen and Liam Lawson.
He backed up that season with another strong one in the category in 2022, finishing fourth overall, before moving to Formula Ford. In 2024 an impressive campaign in the North Island Formula Ford Championship netted two wins and seven podium finishes, placing him fourth in the points table.
Having gone well in the official pre-season GR86 tests, the Giltrap Audi mechanical apprentice is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead in the country’s top one make one model championship.
“After a few years doing single seaters, I really wanted to take part in this championship and see how I go in cars with a roof,” he explained at the Hampton Downs test.
“Longer term I’d like to forge a career in international tin tops, GT3, DTM and even WEC so this is a great way to start that part of my motorsport journey. There are a lot of things I need to learn about this car but the same processes of learning apply to any car.
“Compared to open wheelers the main thing I have noticed is the heat inside the car as you don’t have the air rushing around you so getting used to that has been an obvious thing to adapt to as well as the things like an ABS system and the new tyre.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying the learning process though and we are improving every time we go out.
“Obviously I’m quite competitive and the main goal would be to win rookie of the year. Beyond that I’d love to figure in the overall picture and hopefully take some race wins. For now though it’s head down, focus on improving and see how the first couple of rounds go.”
Blincoe was also keen to thank those making his season possible. “My sponsors have been amazing helping me put this campaign together so I do want to give a shout out to Axial Appliance Servicing, Magness Benrow, JKF International Freight, Smiths, Ocean Plumbing, Giltrap Group, Embroidme East Tamaki and Daniel Overton Goulding Lawyers in Pukekohe.
The six round championship takes in rounds in the North Island and South Island and will include racing on the support card for the 69th New Zealand Grand Prix meeting and at Taupo for the second visit by the Australian Supercar Championship.
