Winner to receive prize package for Toyota 86 campaign

Three finalists have been chosen to take part in a 'virtual shoot-out' for the inaugural Hampton Down Racing Academy's Toyota 86 prize package.

The successful winner will receive a cash prize of $30,000 towards a season of racing in the Best Bars Toyota 86 championship.

Over the past 12-months 41 drivers have gone through the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy at the Hampton Downs circuit which qualifies them to be chosen to take part in the Toyota 86 Shoot-out.

The three finalists chosen for the inaugural competition are 18-year-old North Island Formula Ford champion Matthew McCutcheon and fellow Formula Ford newcomer Liam Sceats, 16 and Hayden Bakkerus, 16, who raced last season in Formula First and recently moved up to Formula Ford.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions forcing the cancellation of the on track component at Hampton Downs, the trustees of the TQF have elected to conduct an online 'virtual shoot-out'.

"We have great driving data from the finalists from when they've driven the Toyota 86 during the past year that more on-track time is not totally necessary," said HDNZRA chief instructor Daniel Gaunt.

"We're able to conduct the off-track activities via zoom interviewing so that allows us to carry on as planned to find the inaugural winner."

The judges for the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy Shoot-out will be TQF trustees Steve Horne, Highlands and Hampton Downs CEO Josie Spillane, professional race car driver Greg Murphy and Gaunt.

The HDNZRA Shoot-out winner will join a burgeoning field of experienced drivers and young motor racing stars all keen to win the ultimate prize at the end of the Best Bars Toyota 86 championship, a test drive in a Triple Eight Racing V8 Supercar courtesy of the Tony Quinn Foundation.

The first round of the Best Bars Toyota 86 championship is scheduled, Covid 19 restriction permitting, to take place at Hampton Downs on 12-14 November.

Caption: The HDNZRA Academy Toyota 86. The winner of the shoot-out will get $30,000 towards a drive in the Best Bars Toyota 86 Championship.

Photo Credit: Tyler Burke