Feilding’s Justin Allen – the most experienced Toyota 86 racing driver in New Zealand – is raring to go for what will be his eighth season in the super competitive championship.
Allen is an early confirmation for the 2025-2026 Toyota GR86 Championship, having been one of the stand-out performers in the first championship for the second-generation 86.
He was a winner and a championship contender last season, and a regular winner in the previous Toyota 86 Championships.
The NAPA Autoparts-backed driver will once again run as part of the Syndicate Motorsport operation, a factor he says was important in his success last season, where he finished third overall.
“It was very important that as a team we went our own way, and it allowed us to stand out in our first season as well as flying under the radar in terms of the way we strategised our races and set up our cars,” he explained.
“We knew we had the basis of a good team, Glen and Kerry are very experienced mechanics and engineers, and our results were able to show how hard we worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Also, maybe showed that I’m still a capable driver.”
Capable is an understatement according to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand motorsport manager Nicolas Caillol, who has watched Allen race in every one of his seven previous seasons.
“Over the years many one make one model series have featured drivers who remain competitive in the championship for many seasons rather than moving to other categories,” he said.
“The reality is that those drivers often become something of a benchmark in that series. Justin is definitely a benchmark in the Toyota GR86.
“At the end of last season, he was clearly one of the pacesetters and took three wins in an exceptionally competitive season, which elevated him to the top three overall.
“It’s fantastic to welcome him back for season number eight with us, and we expect him and his team to be a force to be reckoned with over the course of the six rounds.”
The Toyota GR86 Championship begins at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs on the international layout. A break until the 9th–11th January is followed by a return to the North Waikato circuit, again on the long track.
The championship heads south two weeks later for the double header at Teretonga, 23-25 January, and the NZ Grand Prix meeting at Highlands the following weekend.
It’s back to the North Island for the final two rounds, with Manfeild February 27th- March 1st and the big finale at the Supercars weekend at Taupo on April 10-12.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
