Canterbury’s Chris White Jr has triumphed in the 2024 Tony Quinn Foundation Toyota GR86 Shootout to claim $54,000 of support towards his Toyota GR86 Championship campaign.
White was joined on Wednesday by fellow finalists Mason Potter, Emerson Vincent, and Arthur Broughan at Hampton Downs, where they were tested on driving speed, technical feedback, and their understanding of the commercial aspects of motorsport.
The driving elements were conducted in the new-generation Toyota GR86.
“This is one of the best days I have had in a racecar,” said White, who won the 2023/24 New Zealand Mazda Racing Series Championship and the South Island title.
“It was stressful and very busy, but we learnt a lot, and it’s certainly a day I won’t forget anytime soon.
“Getting to work with the Tony Quinn Foundation and its ambassadors was a great experience, and meeting and working with the likes of Greg Murphy was surreal.
“This is a really big day, and I can’t thank Tony and his team for this opportunity and their support of my 2024/25 season.”
The $54,000 prize, which increased from last year’s $37,500, brings the total support provided by the Tony Quinn Foundation to aspiring Toyota 86 drivers to over $150,000 in just four years of running the shootout.
In total, the Tony Quinn Foundation has invested over $2 million in supporting budding New Zealand talent.
“We had four excellent finalists today at Hampton Downs, which made choosing a winner a challenge,” said Tony Quinn Foundation Ambassador Daniel Gaunt.
“Chris has rapidly risen through the ranks in New Zealand motorsport, with a strong karting background complimenting his Mazda Racing Series success.
“Today, we got to see how he goes about business off the track, as well as on, and it became clear he was a well-rounded individual who will represent the Tony Quinn Foundation with pride.
“Emerson, Arthur, and Mason also have bright futures ahead of them, and we’ll all be watching their careers with interest.”
The 2024/25 Toyota GR86 Championship begins at Taupo International Motorsport Park on November 22-24.
