On fire Giddy makes Toyota 86 qualifying history

Ajay Giddy made a massive statement of intent in this year’s Bridgestone GR86 Championship by putting in the finest qualifying lap in the championship’s long history.

Giddy’s seven-tenths margin over Lucas McGill in qualifying was the biggest ever margin for a pole-winning lap in thirteen Toyota 86 racing seasons. His second fastest lap of the session was also two tenths clear of anyone else and good enough for pole position in the third race of the weekend on Sunday.

It was a mighty pair of laps and left even the most experienced pundits wide- eyed at the 15-year-old’s performance.

For Ajay, it was a combination of factors behind the mesmerising lap – accuracy, tyre performance, track position when a good tow matters and a fast car.

“It was good all round for sure,” he said afterwards. “I had a great position on track, I hit my marks in the corners, and got the tyre in the perfect part of the performance window, which is important this year as the new compound has an even tighter window for its absolute sweet spot.

The 15-minute qualifying session – five minutes shorter than in previous seasons, making it even more crucial for the drivers to get their fast laps right – was held in near-perfect dry, bright and cool conditions. But that five-minute reduction proved pivotal in setting the grid for Sunday’s feature race, as many did not complete a second hot lap when broken rear suspension on Nathan Grammer’s car late on brought out the red flag and wiped another couple of minutes off the session.

McGill was first to post a good time close to the magic 1 minute 40 second barrier, but moments later Giddy delivered his sledgehammer blow and more or less sealed the deal with a scorching 1 minute 39.255 second lap.

Australian Romeo Nasr was closest initially before McGill regrouped for his second effort and dipped under the 1 minute 40 second barrier too, albeit still seven tenths from Ajay’s remarkable lap. His 1 minute 39.965 tour just pipped Nasr.

Miles Baker was best of the rookie drivers in an impressive fourth overall on the race one grid, while Harry Townshend blended a great second lap with a handy tow from Giddy to take fifth on the grid for this afternoon’s opener.

Mac Templeton looked strong throughout the session and wound up sixth fastest for race 1, with the top ten for the opener rounded out by Nieko Scoles, veteran Justin Allen, Cameron Hill and Carevets Scholarship winner Tayler Mitchell. Scoles and Allen were later penalised for on-track infringements and pushed three places back on the grid.

The Sunday feature race grid looks quite different behind the front runners, with several drivers not recording a second quick lap.

Bridgestone GR86 Championship – Round 1 Taupo – R1 Qualifying

Header Photo: Tayler Burke