Bridgestone has been announced as the title sponsor and official tyre supplier for the newly launched Toyota GR86 Championship.
This development helps strengthen Bridgestone's motorsport legacy, following 60 years of involvement in various racing categories worldwide, including the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86/BRZ Cup in Japan, the NTT Indycar Series in the US and the Super GT Series.
The star tyre
The championship will run on the high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS semi-slick tyre, which has been chosen after extensive testing at two of New Zealand’s most prestigious circuits - Hampton Downs and Taupo International Motorsport Park.
According to Nicolas Caillol, Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ Motorsport Manager, the Potenza RE-71RS enhances the new GR86's track performance, allowing it to outshine its predecessor.
He praised the tyre's results, stating, "The RE-71RS has performed exceptionally well during the testing programme for the new GR86 and will bring out the best in the car."
Global synergies
Bridgestone’s partnership with the Toyota GR86 Championship is a natural fit, given both companies' shared goals of improving products through motorsport.
Toyota Vice President Andrew Davis highlighted this synergy, noting how motorsport drives technological advancements for both brands.
He commented, “We do share a lot in common as brands. We both want to be successful on track and we both value motorsport as a way to ultimately improve our product.”
Heath Barclay, Managing Director of Bridgestone Australia, sees this partnership as a continuation of Bridgestone’s mission to innovate through competition. “The addition of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship in New Zealand is a fantastic addition to Bridgestone’s motorsport activity,” Barclay said, celebrating the milestone after the company's 60th anniversary in motorsport.
Globally, Bridgestone is committed to a sustainable future, applying lessons from the racetrack to everyday consumer tyres. By using racing as a "mobile laboratory," the company continues to improve the next generation of tyres under the concept "From Circuit to Street."
A platform for Kiwi drivers
For John Staples, Director of Bridgestone New Zealand, the championship is an ideal opportunity to support the next generation of New Zealand racing talent while promoting the company’s performance-driven Potenza tyre range. "The series plays such a pivotal role in launching the careers of Kiwi racers," he said, emphasising Bridgestone’s long-standing ties to motorsport.
The 2024-2025 Bridgestone GR86 Championship will span six rounds across some of New Zealand’s premier circuits, kicking off at Taupo International Motorsport Park on November 22 to 24, 2024.
The series will conclude with a thrilling final round at Taupō’s Supercars event from April 11 to 13, 2025, ensuring plenty of high-speed action for drivers and fans alike.
This partnership not only solidifies Bridgestone’s place as New Zealand’s most trusted tyre brand but also signals an exciting future for the nation’s motorsport scene.
