Josh Bethune is a late addition to the field for the 2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship, which gets underway this weekend at Hampton Downs, but if all goes to plan, he maintains he will be able to mount a title challenge.
Bethune was a standout performer in the inaugural championship for the new GR86 model last season, proving fast from the outset and competitive across all the tracks used.
However, what he describes as silly mistakes prevented him from winning the Inaugural championship despite two pole positions, four wins and nine podium appearances in a highly competitive field.
“I lost a large number of points over the course of last year’s championship, and that was disappointing,” he explained.
“But we were able to prove over the course of the season that despite being a new team and me being new to the car, we could be quick everywhere.”
Bethune has committed to the first four rounds of the six-round championship as he continues to try to raise sponsorship to complete the campaign, but added that he intends to be at the sharp end of the field from the very first session in his Right Karts By M2 Competition entry.
“We’re not quite there on the budget for the whole season as yet, but we are working on it, and I have every intention of being there at the end and being a contender for wins from the first race this weekend at Hampton Downs.
“This championship rewards consistency, and the ability to take significant points at each race is crucial.
“Last season we demonstrated we can do that, so it’s a question of building on that, putting what we know to work from the very first lap on track and for me to deliver the results on track.”
Bethune will bring backing to his campaign from D&B Construction, JW Group, Crème Insurance, Heron Construction, STF Group and Right Karts.
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