Sixteen-year-old Nieko Scoles may be young, but he’s going to be one of the most experienced Toyota 86 drivers in the field when the four-round Toyota 86 Trophy Series kicks off this weekend at Hampton Downs.
The Invercargill schoolboy has been racing cars since he was 13 and started his circuit racing in a Toyota 86, clocking up hundreds of racing kilometres in club racing events and in the South Island Endurance Championship.
“Yes, I already have a lot of experience in these cars, and I’ve had some good results along the way and have learned a lot every time I have driven and raced the car,” he explained.
Scoles made his ‘main game’ Toyota 86 debut earlier this year at the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend at Highlands, impressing in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship round – a championship he is aiming to excel in over the next few seasons.
“That was certainly one of the best moments of my racing career so far,” he added. “Proving I had top ten pace and strong race craft amongst some really good drivers gave me a lot of confidence heading into the future.”
Preparation for the grassroots Toyota 86 Trophy Series has been going well, too, and Nieko expects to be up to speed quickly when the cars hit the track for the first time in anger on Saturday. Thousands of hours on the simulator have been accompanied by time on real tarmac, too.
“I’ve already had a couple of test days at Hampton Downs and Taupō, which have been really valuable before the season starts.
“I’ll be happy as long as I keep improving my race craft, learn as much as possible from the drivers around me, and also keep improving all of the off-track aspects of the sport, too, like media.”
Nieko’s campaign will be closely watched by his racing family and will be supported by Night ‘n Day, Kings House Removals, Power Farming, South Dig, Invercargill Hydraulics, Harvey Tanks and Summit Simmentals.
Image: Joel Hanks
