The ultra-competitive Toyota 86 Trophy Series continues this weekend as it heads to the Manawatu and round three at Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon.
With five winners from six races, the grassroots series is already highlighting a decent chunk of the next wave of rising stars in the New Zealand motorsport scene, and the Manfeild weekend promises to provide even more bumper-to-bumper action.
With two wins, Toby Elmiger has the most victories, but he is tied on the overall Winter Series points with CareVets Scholarship star Taylor Mitchell, who took his first win a fortnight ago at Taupo. Nieko Scoles – another to take a race win at Taupo – heads the Trophy Series points table in the rookie class.
Nathan Grammer and Ajay Giddy have also won races, with Grammer looking likely to do it again. Riley Boswell is the driver who looks most likely to become winner number six after his Toyota 86 racing debut in this year’s Trophy.
Further back, Mitch Vye, Josh Hill and Marcel Bartley are also close to the pace and easily able to hold their own in the frenetic and highly entertaining races. It’s not impossible that with a good qualifying run, one of those three could also make it onto the podium this weekend.
Ten cars head out onto the iconic 3km track, a unique facility in New Zealand with its cambered corners and fast straights, with Hamilton-based karter Miles Baker joining in the action this weekend.
The drivers will practice on Friday afternoon and then have a busy schedule on Saturday with qualifying and three races. The compact weekend allows three of the Trophy Series drivers – Elmiger, Grammer and Mitchell – to head off to the Elite Motorsport Academy in Dunedin on Saturday night to start a gruelling but rewarding week of challenges.
With a prize package in the Trophy Series that will help the series winner make a big step forward in their motorsport careers and just six races remaining on this year’s winter calendar, it’s all to play for.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
