2019 Toyota 86 Racing Series Launches at Phillip Island

We’ve just returned from a superb day at Phillip Island Circuit where all contenders for the next season of the Toyota 86 Racing Series (#T86RS) took their wheels to the tracks for their first spin of the year. The team from Melbourne City Toyota were delighted to be there, supporting our man Jay Robotham, about to embark on just his second season in the series.

In true Phillip Island style the day started bright and cheerful, with over 30 drivers enjoying this incredible track. By lunchtime, a wild wet and windy micro climate had developed over the circuit, which made for fun times for those in attendance who were invited on guest hot-laps by the T86RS team. It was like glass out there!

Back indoors, the drivers were gathered for presentations on the upcoming series and a great talk given by legend Mark Larkham, of Supercars fame. ‘Larkie’ had some great advice for the group of aspiring young (and some not-so-young) drivers, from training attitude to diet, media and more. As one of the few dealers in Toyotaland who sponsor a driver, the MCT team delivered a presentation on dealer-driver relationships and tips for getting content out on social media.

Finally, the day was made more than complete by the presence of the brand new Gazoo Racing (GR) Supra, looking absolutely gorgeous in a matte grey paint finish. Seeing (and hearing) it take to the track for a few laps was great, and we can’t wait to see it again when the car makes its official debut in the hands of the first owners later this year.

Now in it’s 4th year, the Toyota 86 Racing Series features on the undercard of the Supercars series. The first round will be at Phillip Island in April and features rounds at Townsville, Bathurst and Sandown, before finishing up at Newcastle in November.