Third-generation racer Tyler Collins will continue his family’s legacy when he takes to the grid as a wildcard entry for Action Motorsport in the Toyota 86 Championship at Hampton Downs next weekend.
Collins’s father, Andrew, grandfather Warner and Grand-uncle Clyde have had successful careers in New Zealand motorsport, with Tyler, based in the Gold Coast, having recent experience behind the wheel in various Australian Hyundai Excel championships.
He recently won the AASA Australian Excel Series Championship in 2023, his first full season of racing, after narrowly beating out Supercars co-driver Jaylyn Robotham to the title.
“Dad had the pleasure of working with & was actually housemates with Jason Richards back in the BMW Motorsport days before both made it to Supercars with Team Kiwi Racing,” said the 19-year-old.
“My dad then went to Stone Brothers Racing, forming part of the Ambrose/Ingall triple Supercars championship success in the early 2000s.
“My Pop Warner Collins and his brother Clyde have had a lot of success over the years in various categories, including the famous PDL Mustang era.
“I’m proud to be representing the history my family has here in New Zealand, and I hope I can add another chapter to that book.
“I can’t wait to get out on track; being a wildcard gives me a great opportunity to ruffle some feathers and just do the best I can without a championship to think about.”
Collins last took to the Hampton Downs circuit on a test day in August last year and was offered a lease car from category manager Amanda Tolemache for the 2024 round at the same venue.
It is a dream come true for Collins to get a shot in the Toyota 86 Championship.
“It’s a great honour to be racing in the Toyota 86 Championship,” he adds. “I’ve been watching the series for many years, and I’ve seen so many great names show their worth. I hope I can do the same.
“The test day was awesome, such a cool track and car combo. I knew I had to come back and race.
“It’s going to be an awesome weekend. I’m super excited to be with the Action Motorsport crew for the weekend. They’ve got their cars pretty dialled in all conditions at the moment.
“Along with that, the team also has fantastic coaches, with Robbo from On The Pace, who I have worked with previously in my early development and in the Australian Excel Championship last year, and good mate Hugo Allan, both with plenty of 86 experience, so I shouldn’t be too sluggish.”
The fifth round of the Toyota 86 Championship will get underway at Hampton Downs on March 15-17.
Header Image: Matthew Paul Photography (Supplied)
Quotes & Images: Supplied
