One aspiring driver in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s 86 Championship will win the trip of a lifetime at the grand finale in a fortnight and will be handed the keys to a Triple Eight Race Engineering Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro.
The trustees of the Tony Quinn Foundation (TQF) will choose a winner at the final round at Hampton Downs on May 7, who will head to Brisbane in August to test with the Red Bull Ampol Racing team at Queensland Raceway.
Aside from the test drive, the Supercars Tony Quinn Foundation Trustees Choice winner will also spend time with the team to learn about the behind-the-scenes racing environment, spend one-on-one time with their V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, and enjoy social time with Tony Quinn.
Previously, the inaugural winner was the TR86 season overall champion, but for 2023 the trustees have opted to widen the criteria and take in off-track criteria in their decision-making, assessing the likes of good sportsmanship, commercial success as well as racing performances.
“It’s no secret that talent on the track is a major part of what promising drivers need to make it in the highly competitive motorsport space, but the other intangible stuff has a heavy weighing as well, like charisma, sportsmanship, the ability to engage with all walks of life and remain professional, along with a bit of luck, all play a massive role,” said TQF Trustee Josie Spillane.
“We’ve identified as trustees that we need to be rewarding all those attributes, so the winner might not necessarily be the fastest on track – they’ll be up there, but we are also looking for that special X-factor, that’s also really important.”
Spillane added that the TQF is delighted that Triple Eight Race Engineering has worked with them to take this opportunity to another level for 2023.
Team principal at Triple Eight Race Engineering and former multiple Supercars champion, Jamie Whincup, is delighted to continue this joint programme which supports a driver’s development.
“We believe strongly in the importance of developing future talent and giving opportunities to up-and-coming drivers. We’re proud to be able to support the Tony Quinn Foundation in this way,” said Whincup.
“Driving one of the Red Bull Ampol Racing Gen3 Camaros is a massive opportunity and we’ve no doubt the recipient of the TQF award will make the most of it. We’re excited to see how they go and we’ll give them all the tools to do a great job and have some fun,” he added.
The TQF Trustees Choice winner joins a list of talented young motor racing drivers supported by the foundation over a wide variety of categories in single-seater and saloon car racing. With many drivers aspiring to reach the pinnacle of Supercars racing, this grant allows a young driver to experience the ultimate in tin-top racing in the Southern Hemisphere and define a career path to reach the top of the sport.
Former TR86 championship winner Rowan Shepherd was awarded the opportunity of the V8 Supercar test last year.
Words & Images: Supplied
