Clay Osborne has been confirmed to join the 2021-’22 season of the Best Bars Toyota 86 Series.
Osborne is a former world karting champion taking the title in 2019, and taking the New Zealand karting title in 2015 and 2021.
The 2020 Formula First season saw Osborne finish fourth in the championship, with six podiums through the season.
Osborne will join older brother Fynn Osborne on this season’s grid.
Those competing in the forthcoming Toyota 86 season are competing to take their share of the $175,000 prize pool, which includes a test day with Triple Eight Engineering, and a Toyota 86 drive at Bathurst.
The prize pool, which organisers have said is the biggest in the series history, is drawing more competitors to the championship.
“I think this is the next big step for me to become a future star in motorsport,” Osborne said.
“The prize fund was also a key factor with the V8 test and other great prizes.
“I have tested the TR86 twice and have really enjoyed it both times. The car has a great balance of grip and speed which makes it a lot of fun but also challenging to drive.
“My objective will be to push as hard as I can from the first round and come away with a top three out of the series.
“This class is a great thing for New Zealand motorsport and I cannot wait to race the best and to be surrounded by some very experienced race car drivers. It’s where I want to be.”
The season will get underway at Pukekohe Park Raceway, December 3-5, championship organisers having recently shuffled the calendar’s dates due to Covid-19 uncertainty.
