Hill Out For Wins And Podiums In Second Season

Eighteen-year-old race winner Cameron Hill will return for a second season in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship and is targeting regular podium finishes as he takes aim at a title challenge.

Coatesville-based racer Hill, who will return for a second season with Right Karts by M2 Competition, was one of the best performing rookies last season. A race victory and numerous top ten placings to end the season in tenth overall was a fantastic result for a driver who almost literally stepped directly out of karts and into circuit racing with minimal seat time.

That overall win during his first season was a highlight and showed he had plenty of speed, but repeating that victory proved harder than he had imagined.

“The win was awesome,” he explained. “I was hoping to carry that momentum throughout the season, instead of into the bank at Teretonga! I didn't realize just how hard it is to win repeatedly in this championship and I lacked the consistency I needed to win, something I aim to address this season.”

Hill has been hard at work leaving no stone unturned as he prepares for his second season in the championship, and is also learning much from securing a place on Motorsport New Zealand’s Elite Motorsport Academy programme this year.

“I’m learning a lot in that environment and things like the academy training camp in Dunedin have been massive eye openers,” he added. “The Academy really is next level and a world class programme, and I know it will help make me a better athlete and help me make greater progress in my racing career.

“I’m also spending a lot of time in the gym working on strength and endurance and getting out testing with the team to put all that winter work into practice and maximise my performance on track. I also have Jayden Gunderson as my mechanic and have Steve “Robbo” Robinson on the mic, so I have a really excellent team.”

With the support of Northland Toyota, 100% Extreme Appliances, Static Communicate, Apex Interiors, Yakka Contracting, Haier Appliances and Crème Insurance – along with a solid season and a productive winter behind him - Hill is confident he’ll make a step forward in what promises to be another super-competitive season in the country’s leading one-make one-model championship.

“I believe I can race for podiums this season, why be there if not to win and give one hundred per cent?” he added. “Consistent podiums are what’s needed to win the title and I know I have a team behind me who can win races so it’s up to me to deliver.”

The six-round Bridgestone GR86 Championship begins at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs on the international layout. A break until the 9th–11th January is followed by a return to the North Waikato circuit, again on the long track.

The championship heads south two weeks later for the double header at Teretonga 23-25 January and the NZ Grand Prix meeting at Highlands the following weekend. At the end of February the penultimate round takes place at Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon before the big finale at the Taupo Supercars round in April.

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

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

About the Repco NextGen NZ Championship

The Repco NextGen NZ Championship is Motorsport New Zealand’s premier Race Championship. It is focused on celebrating talent, developing drivers, captivating fans and being sustainable, successful and surprising.

The championship is headlined by the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, Bridgestone GR86 Championship, GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Monochrome GT4 Australia Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, TA2 New Zealand Championship, New Zealand Porsche Championship, GTRNZ, NAPA Central Muscle Cars, the NAPA Auto Parts NZ Formula Ford Championship and Formula Atlantic.

The second season of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship will span six spectacular events from November 2025 through March 2026.

After the opener at Hampton Downs, the championship commences a four-event swing in January that includes back-to-back rounds at Hampton Downs, Taupo, Teretonga (Invercargill) and the 70th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park. The finale will be held at Manfeild, near Palmerston North.

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