TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand has confirmed that the Best Bars Toyota 86 scholarship competition will go ahead at Hampton Downs later this month on November 23.
The scholarship challenges up-and-coming drivers both on and off the circuit through in-car assessments, fitness evaluations and media skills.
Toyota will award the winning recipient a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing sponsored lease of a Toyota 86 race car for the 2021 Best Bars 86 Sprint Championship worth $23,000.
Earlier this year, Toyota announced a significant boost of the current prize pool as well as an inaugural endurance championship which had its first round last month.
The $100,000 prize pool is the most extensive prize offering in New Zealand motorsport history, and places drivers on a direct trajectory to a seat in the Toyota Racing Series or a chance to secure financial backing for an international drive.
“We’ve seen a significant number of young drivers trying out the Toyota 86 over the past few weeks and months and there’s no question there is some real talent amongst those we have seen,” said category manager Geoff Short.
“That doesn’t mean to say that if a driver hasn’t driven the car, then they won’t be considered, but we’d certainly recommend them arranging a short test in the Toyota 86 before the scholarship day, and we are happy to arrange that for them.
“TOYOTA GAZOO Racing are looking for the best candidates in the country for what is an outstanding Scholarship in New Zealand motorsport.
“The judges will be looking not only for pure talent but also the skills, passion and dedication to determine who really has what it takes to become a professional racing driver.
“There can be only one winner however, and that driver will get a massive boost for their 2021 racing season.”
This year’s five-round championship will run between January and March and will race at all four North Island circuits. Like last year, each race is set to be televised live on Sky Sport as well as a post-production package for free-to-air.