Toyota 86 Trophy Series sensation Lee Zeltwanger will likely be a force to be reckoned with when the Bridgestone Toyota GR86 Championship blasts off in November at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
The 23-year-old Auckland racer was the surprise package of the winter series, winning it in style and securing himself a seat for the 2025-2026 season in the CareVets Scholarship car, which was driven to the 24-25 title by Hugo Allan.
Zeltwanger will retain rookie status for the Bridgestone GR86 Championship as he has not competed in it yet, but understands eyes will be on him after his winter success.
“This is a step up from the winter series, and of course, I’ll be giving it my very best shot,” he explained.
“The Bridgestone GR86 field is full of talent, but I’m excited to measure myself against the competition and hopefully turn a few more heads.
“The field is bigger and the competition is strong. The race weekends are longer, there are new tracks for me to learn, and the GR86 itself is a different car to drive, so I’ll need to adapt my driving style.”
Lee will be in good hands when he steps up to the big time. Ian McNabb from iMac Race Engineering and Todd Bickerton from Bicksport will look after the youngster as he aims for consistent high finishes and race wins.
“Their experience and support will be a huge help,” he added.
“I’ve learned just how professionally run both Toyota series are, and how valuable it is to have the support of a professional race team. I’ve also learned a lot about handling media exposure with plenty of interviews and social media work, which is all part of building a career in motorsport.”
Lee has worked hard in the off-season to put together a strong supporting cast of sponsors and will fly the flag for NZ Concrete, Timberworld East Tamaki, Euro West, Solimara Truly Natural, Skunkworks Racing Division and Automoves Racing Team.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be able to compete at this level,” he added. “I am also really grateful to CareVets for their support of myself and young drivers. The CareVets Scholarship has given me the chance to really have a go at a race class I couldn’t have done on my own. It opens doors, gives young drivers a platform to prove themselves, and hopefully will lead to more opportunities down the road.”
A busy season will see Lee and his team compete in six weekends of racing at both North and South Island circuits. He will race as part of the support cast for both the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix in February and the Taupo Supercars event in April.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
