Toyota New Zealand has announced a significant prize pool for the upcoming 2021 Best Bars Toyota 86 Series — the five-round series set to kick off next January.
The firm has confirmed a $100,000 prize pool for the forthcoming season. It represents the largest prize offering in New Zealand motorsport history, and follows the distributor’s pledge to support its Castrol Toyota Racing Series with $500,000 in Covid-19 relief to help up to 10 drivers join the series.
“We’ve seen with the success of Peter Vodanovich and Jaylyn Robotham in securing significant deals to race in Supercars that the New Zealand Toyota 86 category is on the radar for all of the major motorsport players in this part of the world,” says Toyota 86 Series category manager Geoff Short.
“Toyota New Zealand supports the Toyota 86 Championship with guaranteed television coverage and hospitality, providing a professional platform for competitors to gain sponsorship.
“Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand (TGRNZ) also backs up the series with technical support and provides a 40 foot container of parts to make it easy to go racing at a national level.”
Next season’s title winner receives the choice of a Toyota FT60 TRS test and a $50,000 contribution towards a TRS campaign or $25,000. Second place will secure a $15,000 TGRNZ credit or $7,500 and third overall a $10,000 TGRNZ credit or $5,000.
The announcement comes on the day of the category’s annual open test day at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park — reportedly its busiest test day yet, featuring drivers from single seaters, touring cars, drifting, and more.