Gen 3 Supercar test looming for one Toyota 86 racer

One aspiring driver in this year’s Toyota 86 Championship is all set for a major boost to their career. The TQF Foundation will pick one of our racers at the grand finale at Hampton Downs who will be handed the keys to a Triple Eight Race Engineering for a test in the latest Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro.

The winner will head to Brisbane in August to test with the Red Bull Ampol Racing team at Queensland Raceway. Aside from the test drive, the Supercars Tony Quinn Foundation Trustees Choice winner will also spend time with the team to learn about the behind-the-scenes racing environment, spend one-one-one time with their V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen and enjoy social time with Tony Quinn.

For 2023 the trustees have opted to widen the criteria and take in off-track criteria in their decision making, assessing the likes of good sportsmanship, commercial success as well as their racing performances. So any one of the 2023 field could win the Gen 3 test prize.

"It's no secret that talent on the track is a major part of what promising drivers need to make it in the highly competitive motorsport space, but the other intangible stuff has a heavy weighing as well, like charisma, sportsmanship, the ability to engage with all walks of life and remain professional, along with a bit of luck, all play a massive role," said TQF Trustee Josie Spillane.

"We've identified as trustees that we need to be rewarding all of those attributes, so the winner might not necessarily be the fastest on track - they'll be up there, but we are also looking for that special x-factor, that's also really important."

Team principal at Triple Eight Race Engineering, and former multiple Supercars champion Jamie Whincup is delighted to continue this joint programme which supports a driver's development.

"We believe strongly in the importance of developing future talent and giving opportunities to up-and-coming drivers. We're proud to be able to support the Tony Quinn Foundation in this way," he said.

"Driving one of the Red Bull Ampol Racing Gen3 Camaros is a massive opportunity and we've no doubt the recipient of the TQF award will make the most of it. We're excited to see how they go and we'll give them all the tools to do a great job and have some fun,"

The TQF Trustees Choice winner joins a list of talented young motor racing drivers supported by the foundation over a wide variety of categories in single-seater and saloon car racing. With many drivers aspiring to reach the pinnacle of V8 Supercars racing, this grant allows a young driver to experience the ultimate in tin-top racing in the Southern Hemisphere and define a career path to reach the top of the sport.

Two time TR86 championship winner Rowan Shepherd was awarded the opportunity of the V8 Supercar test last year and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand Manager of Motorsport Nicolas Caillol says every pathway is a vital one for young Kiwi drivers.

“We would like to thank again the Tony Quinn Foundation for that fantastic opportunity offered to one of our competitors. Similar to our approach with the GT4 GR Supra EVO drive it is all about providing a pathway and opportunities to our Toyota 86 Competitors for their next step in their career.”