One of New Zealand’s rising stars is just one weekend of racing away from securing a seat for three rounds – half a season – of the Monochrome GT4 Australia Series.
That’s the top prize on offer this weekend as the Bridgestone GR86 Championship for 2025-2026 draws to a close as a main support category for the Supercars event at Taupo International Motorsport Park this weekend.
Chris White is currently holding the cards with a 46-point lead in the championship ahead of Zach Blincoe and reigning champion Hugo Allan, but at least two more drivers – Josh Bethune and Arthur Broughan – have a chance of scooping the stunning top prize for this season’s champion. Mathematically, the title could go to any one of the top nine…..
The champion will contest Rounds 2, 3 and 4 of the championship with Garth Walden’s Sydney-based GWR Australia team in its GR Supra GT4 EVO2 and will be paired with Daniel Frougas for those rounds. The half-season prize will be funded by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand.
Young gun Frougas made an immediate impact at the opening round of the 2026 series, taking a pole position and third-place finish in the first race. And the team are looking forward to adding a rising Kiwi star into the mix.
“We’re excited to bring a Kiwi young gun into the GWR stable,” said Walden.
“There’s some seriously impressive talent coming through the GR86 field, so whoever wins it is going to be ready to step up. Pairing them with Daniel gives us a really competitive package.”
“It will be a very competitive seat for our champion,” added Bridgestone GR86 Category Manager Amanda Tollemache. “The prize represents one really important component of our whole TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand pathway, which is designed to find New Zealand’s next world champion.”
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol says the pathway is now a very important structure for up-and-coming talent in New Zealand, adding: “It’s a clearly defined and unique pathway within New Zealand, beginning with our grass roots Toyota 86 Trophy Series, followed by the ‘main game’ Bridgestone GR86 Championship.
“After that, single-seater or GT opportunities are available and beyond that, opportunities around the world within the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing family. We have plenty of involvement with Monochrome GT4 Australia with technical support and parts supply in Oceania for the GR Supra GT4 EVO2, and we really believe this is a fantastic opportunity.”
It won’t be just the champion who will have a chance to step onto the international GT4 stage. The Bridgestone GR86 Championship runner-up this weekend will have the opportunity to race in one round of the Australian series as well.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s pathway has a long list of proven winners, but Lee Zeltwanger is the latest to shine. He was the inaugural winner in the Toyota 86 Trophy Series this time last year and has shone as a Rookie in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship this season, winning the Rookie title with one round remaining.
Hamilton’s Taylor Mitchell is the latest rising star to join the pathway, winning the CareVets Scholarship and a season in the forthcoming Toyota 86 Trophy Series just a week ago.
Header Image: SRO Australia
