Grammer soaks up the pressure for fine debut win

Nathan Grammer took his first Toyota 86 win in fine style at Hampton Downs this afternoon, holding off a wave of attacks from Ajay Giddy and Nieko Scoles to take the chequered flag in the first race of the 2026 Toyota 86 Trophy Series.

Scoles had started from pole position, but it was Grammer alongside on the front row who made a better start to lead into the first corner. Giddy, from row two, started even better than both on the front row and raced into second as the field surged through the first turn.

Riley Boswell made a great start in his yellow TR86 too, and was briefly up to third on the opening lap before falling back to begin a race-long duel with Toby Elmiger.

Further back, CareVets Scholarship winner Taylor Mitchell was making excellent progress after his qualifying dramas left him at the back of the ten-car grid. By the end of lap one, he had moved up three places, and on the second lap, he took sixth place.

Even in the lower half of the field, the racing was exceptionally good as rookies Mitch Vye and Marcel Bartley diced with Josh Hill and Mark Mallard in some classic nose-to-tail Toyota 86 racing.

Halfway came quickly, and the field by then had separated into two halves, with the leaders at the front a few seconds ahead of the rest.

Giddy launched attack after attack on Grammer – with a move on almost every lap – but Grammer remained calm and focused and never looked like losing his lead. Scoles, too, looked for any opportunity to move up to the front.

At the flag, it was a delighted Grammar, from Giddy and Scoles, and at the ages of just 16, 15 and 16, nobody was left in any doubt that in terms of finding the next stars of tomorrow, the Trophy Series was already delivering.

“I was lucky to get a good start, but I was very aware Ajay had made a flyer as well,” said Nathan afterwards.

“There’s a lot of preparation that’s gone into this season, so it’s absolutely awesome to win. I had hoped for a podium, but this is really great.”

There was more to come in the race from another eye-catching young star in Taylor Mitchell, too. Having made it to sixth within two laps, the Hamilton racer got his head down and did just as well in the race’s second half.

Through the middle of the eight lapper, he not only moved forward but moved past both Elmiger and Boswell to settle in an impressive fourth place. He encountered ABS issues from lap six, however, and was unable to threaten the leading trio in the closing stages. It was nonetheless a very fine drive and proved he will be a factor in the series too.

Behind the top four, Boswell held off Elmiger after their tight fight, with a satisfied Mallard just a half-second further back.

Hill, Vye and Bartley rounded out the field, but all performed well, and Bartley, in tenth, crossed the line in his first Toyota 86 race less than ten seconds behind the winner.

The second race of the weekend is on Sunday morning, and with the race’s fastest lap, it will be Scoles who starts again from pole position. He’ll no doubt be aiming to make the top step of the podium this time.

2026 Toyota 86 Trophy Series – Round 1 Hampton Downs – Race 1

Header Image: Bruce Jenkins