Justin Allen – race winner and title contender in past seasons – will start his ninth, and he says last season in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, aiming for wins at every round.
The popular Feilding series veteran – still only 31 years of age – has been competitive at almost every race over that eight-season period but has never put together what he believes would be a title-winning campaign.
“I love the racing in this championship,” he said.
“It’s always good to test yourself against the best of the rising stars, and hopefully I do believe I have acquitted myself well over the years.
“We know we have the pace to win at any circuit and in any conditions, but this is a highly competitive field and, as well as needing a bit of luck on your side, you definitely also need to be consistent across every race throughout the whole championship. That’s possibly the one box I still have to tick and it keeps bringing me back.
“Syndicate Motorsport is working well as a team, and we know we can do it. Maybe this season will be the one after all these years racing the 86.
A fine wet weather exponent – and on his day almost unbeatable in certain conditions – Allen will once again fly the colours of long-time backer NAPA Autoparts for this final hurrah in the championship.
He’ll also carry backing from Feilding Auto Electrical, Manawatu and TRC Toyota, Octane Logistics, Matt Walton Mortgages, Nexdrive and The Fastlane Studio Manfield during this season’s final campaign.
“As time has passed, I’ve come to the opinion that I am there to test these young guns rising through the ranks,” he added.
“Some of them have vaulted from this championship to become major contenders in bigger Australasian and global championships.
“When I’ve performed well against those drivers, that’s always been satisfying. Now though, this season, it’s all about us and whether we can end a very enjoyable run racing Toyota 86s as the series champion. That’s the dream.”
The Bridgestone GR86 Championship – which once again runs with the premier-level NextGen NZ Motorsport Championship series – gets underway in two months at the Taupo International Motorsport Park at the PTS Logistics season opener.
Header Image: Joel Hanks
