Season Two Dates Locked In For Bridgestone GR86 Championship

Dates for the second season of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship are locked and loaded for 2025 and 2026 and it promises to be another thrilling season for drivers in New Zealand’s leading one make, one model championship.

The six-round championship – which will once again run as a featured category in the NextGen national championship series, includes two dates at Hampton Downs, a weekend at Toyota NZ’s ‘home circuit’ of Manfeild, the South Island leg of Teretonga followed by the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix meeting at Highlands and will conclude once again with the Supercars round at Taupo Motorsport Park.

The season blasts off at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs before a break until the 9th – 11th January when its back to the North Waikato circuit, for its second weekend on the ‘long’ track.

The championship heads south two weeks later for the double header at Teretonga (23-25 January) and the Grand Prix meeting at Highlands the following weekend. It’s back to the North Island for the final two rounds, with Manfeild February 27th- March 1st and the the big finale at the Taupo Supercars weekend, April 10-12.

A full grid was a huge feature of the inaugural year of the championship – won in style by Hugo Allan - and with dates confirmed early, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand are again hoping for a full field of 20 plus cars.

“Last season’s racing was closer than ever and produced great racing and a huge variety of winners and drivers who scored a podium result,” commented category manager Amanda Tollemache. “Next season should be equally as exciting and there is a huge amount of interest, which we are certain will result in another big field.”

2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship

Round 1 - 31 October - 2 November 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Round 2 - 9 - 11 January 2026, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Round 3 - 23 - 25 January 2026, Teretonga Park, Invercargill (venue TBC)

Round 4 - 30 January - 1 February 2026 70th New Zealand GP - Highlands Motorsport Park

Round 5 - 27 February - 1 March 2026, Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon

Round 6 - 10 -12 April 2026 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - Supercars

© Scoop Media