GR86 Championship confirms five-round 2026–27 calendar
Words: Kyle Cassidy
The 2026–27 Bridgestone GR86 Championship will feature five points-paying rounds and an additional non-championship appearance supporting Supercars.
GAZOO Racing New Zealand has confirmed the series will begin at Taupo International Motorsport Park from November 13–15, before pausing over Christmas.
Racing will resume on Hampton Downs’ International circuit from January 8–10, followed by a trip south to Teretonga Park in Invercargill from January 22–24.
The championship will then head to Highlands Motorsport Park near Cromwell for the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix weekend from January 29–31.
These three January meetings will see the GR86 Championship serve as the principal support category for rounds of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
The title will be decided on Hampton Downs’ shorter National circuit from February 25–28.
Drivers will have a sixth opportunity to race during a Supercars weekend in May. The date and venue have yet to be confirmed, and the meeting will sit outside the main championship.
A separate prize pool will be offered for the Supercars event, alongside the main championship rewards.
“The championship has produced more than its fair share of outstanding driver talent,” said category manager Amanda Kibble. “That list of talent includes the likes of rising Supercars star and GR ambassador Ryan Wood and drivers of the calibre of Callum Hedge, Brock Gilchrist, Marco Giltrap, Ryan Yardley and many others.
“As ever we are planning a major prize pool that will provide opportunities for the best of the drivers competing to further their careers.”
The coming season will be the third to use the current GR86 race car and the 14th for New Zealand’s Toyota 86-based one-make championship.
The category has built its reputation on close racing and providing a relatively level platform for emerging drivers. Its identical-car format puts the emphasis on driver performance, racecraft and car preparation.
The championship will again form part of the NextGen Championship Series, which brings together several of New Zealand’s leading circuit-racing categories.
Registrations for the 2026–27 season are now open.
2026–27 Bridgestone GR86 Championship calendar
- Round 1: November 13–15 – Taupo International Motorsport Park
- Round 2: January 8–10 – Hampton Downs International
- Round 3: January 22–24 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill
- Round 4: January 29–31 – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell
- Round 5: February 25–28 – Hampton Downs National
- Non-championship round: May – Supercars, date and venue to be confirmed
