Tom Bewley secured the 2023-2024 Toyota 86 Championship with a trouble-free fifth-place finish in the final race of the weekend at Taupo International Motorsport Park.
He was helped by the retirement of his chief rival William Exton, but Bewley had everything covered as he came home to take the title by 32 points.
Jackson Rooney continued his dominance of the Supercars weekend with his second win, while Hunter Robb did what he could by finishing second. However, that would only mean a runner-up spot in the championship and the Rookie title, which is still a major haul for the youngster.
The day, though, belonged to the new champion, Bewley, and he was ecstatic afterwards. “It’s hard to say how I feel right now,” he said.
“Obviously, I’ve got to thank a mighty team who have kept me grounded and organised and allowed me to improve as a driver, and I know I have.”
The race was straightforward, with the only moment of drama being Exton’s exit with clutch issues. Rooney ran away with it, showing prodigious speed that could mark him as a major title contender next season if he decides to continue in the championship with the new GR86.
Very early on, the fighting behind Rooney involved Robb, Lockie Bloxsom, and Justin Allen. Behind them, Bewley made quick work of Tayler Bryant and found himself a nice gap behind the top five.
At that stage, with Exton sitting second, it would have been a tie on points, but it all came to a grinding halt for Exton on Lap 4.
That put Bewley in fifth which guaranteed him the title regardless of where Robb finished, and whatever Robb did.
Bewley receives a TGRNZ-supported drive in one round of the ADAC GT4 Germany Championship at the iconic Nürburgring circuit, driving a GR Supra GT4 Evo as his major prize. With teammate Hayden Bakkerus acting as his rear gunner, he cruised home to a deserved championship title.
Rooney sailed home for an impressive race win, while Robb followed him home to take victory for the round ahead of Bloxsom, Allen, Bewley, Bakkerus, Bryant, Ben Stewart, John Penny and Alice Buckley.
The current Toyota 86 completed its last championship laps today, too.
Eleven seasons of epic racing having helped produce some exceptional drivers now racing throughout the world and Australasia at a very high level.
Bewley will be hoping to join them.
2023-2024 Toyota 86 Championship – Round 6 – Taupo – Race 3
| 1 | Jackson Rooney |
| 2 | Hunter Robb |
| 3 | Lockie Bloxsom |
| 4 | Justin Allen |
| 5 | Tom Bewley |
| 6 | Hayden Bakkerus |
| 7 | Tayler Bryant |
| 8 | Ben Stewart |
| 9 | John Penny |
| 10 | Alice Buckley |
| 11 | Harry Townshend |
| 12 | Christina Orr-West |
| 13 | William Morton |
| 14 | Breanna Morris |
| 15 | Summer Rintoule |
| 16 | Thomas Mallard |
| 17 | Ryan Denize |
| 18 | Cormac Murphy |
| 19 | Saxon Sheehan |
| 20 | Noel Simpson |
| DNF | William Exton |
