Chris White is the first of the 2025-2026 Toyota GR86 Championship hot favourites to confirm details of his campaign.
White was one of the stars of the inaugural season in 2024-2025, establishing himself as a frontrunner and winning the Rookie title.
Chris – now with Andy Neale Motorsport for his second season – says he “cannot wait until the season begins”. He scored two race victories during his successful first season and is in no doubt about the challenge that lies ahead.
“The series has its challenges with it being a one-make series, so every mistake you make costs you valuable points,” he said.
“I believe it’s the hardest championship to win in New Zealand with all the young talent coming through the sport and through the Hampton Downs Academy.
White turned more than a few heads in his debut season – and capped it with a GT4 appearance with Tony Quinn in Australia as one of the championship’s best prospects. In the process of impressing, he was also learning ahead of this season’s big championship effort.
“The championship is so competitive that when you stand out or get a good result, people acknowledge it.
“I also learned that if you don’t force the issue and play your cards right, then the results will come to you if you race with maturity and if you have a fast car beneath you. I can’t wait until the season begins.”
White’s big 2025-2026 campaign will be supported by PAKnSAVE, 5R Solutions, Award Appliance’s, Wharenui Student Village, ITM Hillside, Universal Sign co, Omnigraphics and Southern Specialist Cars.
The championship begins at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs on the international layout. A break until the 9th–11th January is followed by a return to the North Waikato circuit, again on the long track.
The championship heads south two weeks later for the double header at Teretonga 23-25 January and the NZ Grand Prix meeting at Highlands the following weekend.
It’s back to the North Island for the final two rounds, with Manfeild February 27th- March 1st and the big finale at the Supercars weekend at Taupo on April 10-12.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
