Long-time Toyota racer Mark Mallard makes a welcome return to racing this coming weekend when he will race his TR86 in the Toyota 86 Trophy Series.
A stalwart of New Zealand motorsport and owner of Crème Insurance, which has done a lot more than most companies to sponsor young drivers over the past few seasons.
Mark will be at the wheel once more of his trusty Toyota 86 – the car he last raced in the main-game championship four years ago and that son Thomas raced in for his debut Toyota 86 season.
“The old Jigger was sitting in the garage,” said.
“I do run every now and then in GTRNZ and in the Auckland Production Racing Series. I just love driving the TR86, and I always try to get a class win or two in it every year. And now is a good time to get it out and enjoy it.”
Mark, who never sugar coats his racing, knows he will be up against it at Hampton Downs but isn’t worried by the latest crop of racing talent on display in the Trophy.
“I believe at double the age and with 20kgs on most drivers, I won’t bother the field too much, but this weekend is about me against me.
“Having said that, I also like to watch talent come through, so there’ll be a little bit of that for the next wave of sponsorship proposals that come across my desk. Hopefully, once we get racing, the older brain can come to the fore, and I can move forward.”
After suffering a minor stroke recently, he’ll have a lot of support in the paddock, and he’ll be there to have fun and test himself more than anything else as he continues on his own road to recovery.
“I’m the old man of the field, so I reckon it’s okay to give a bit of advice,” he laughed.
“Seriously, though, for all the parents of the other runners, get regular check-ups and listen to what the doctors say!
“Your racing driver kids want you to be there more than absolutely everything else.”
Mark will begin his latest campaign at Hampton Downs this weekend and may take part in future rounds if time permits.
The Trophy Series itself heads further south to Taupo Motorsport Park for Round 2 on June 20 and 21. Manfeild is the destination for the third round two weeks later, on July 4th and 5th, before the series concludes at the same circuit on August 1 and 2.
Header Image: Supplied
