Select your preferred store for a more customised experience.
It’s show time
Hampton Downs provided the perfect venue for the seventh Toyota Festival where more than 300 Toyota Aficionados and owners showed off their Toyota branded metal.
The festival has become a hot date in the calendar for any Toyota enthusiast. Toyota events coordinator Andy Kruy says the event is eagerly anticipated annually by keen Toyota fans.
“We have fans asking us months out for dates to book in their calendars,” says Andy.
“This year some members from the Toyota 86 club drove in convoy from as far south as Wellington to the event. After all, it was through this group of enthusiasts that the event became an annual meet, seven years ago at the launch of Toyota’s 86 model.
“From 86s and MR2s to Hilux, Hiaces and Corollas, they all showed up! There were Track and Drift sessions and a gymkhana, and those for whom tracks were not really their thing could enter the Show and Shine competition or just come along and park up and enjoy the festivities.”
For some lucky prize winners, hot laps were on offer with New Zealand V8 Camry driver Chelsea Herbert.
“Show and Shine is always a highlight for most attendees – people spend all week prepping and cleaning their cars for display, with everyone showing huge passion for and commitment to their pride and joys.”
Castrol Toyota Racing New Zealand simulators were available for those wanting to kill some time between their track sessions.
Attendees were also able to attend Toyota Racing New Zealand’s purposebuilt Headquarters Tour led by Bob McMurray, Toyota Racing New Zealand ambassador.
The headquarters at Hampton Downs were officially opened in 2018 and feature high-stud, tilt-slab construction, a spacious build floor capable of holding all 20 FT-50 race cars used in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series, and sufficient space to enable the championship’s transporter vehicles to load and unload inside.
It also features extensive storage areas catering for the comprehensive range of spares required to keep modern single-seater race cars in prime condition. TR 86s used in the Toyota 86 Championship are also built here. Prior to the festival, a call was made to all Supra owners in a search for New Zealand’s biggest Supra fan – providing ‘the biggest fan’ with the opportunity to attend the New Zealand launch of the new Supra in July and be among the first to see this new model.
“We had an epic day out on the track and feedback from the attendees was that they did too. The passion and enthusiasm for Toyotas was, as usual, extremely alive. The custom builds and exceptionally kept Toyota classic models were just amazing. It’s definitely an event that we will be looking forward to hosting again in 2020.”