· Bridgestone re-enters New Zealand Motorsport as tyre supplier and title partner of Toyota GR86 Championship.
· Bridgestone GR86 Championship forms extension of Bridgestone’s global Motorsport heritage spanning more than 60 years.
· POTENZA RE-71RS becomes the official tyre of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship and 86 Trophy Series.
· Bridgestone will use the series to showcase the values of Emotion of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment1.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (25 September 2024) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand has confirmed New Zealand’s most trusted tyre brand, Bridgestone, as title sponsor and supplier for its new GR86 Championship.
The Bridgestone GR86 Championship – and the forthcoming Toyota 86 Trophy series – will both run on the Potenza RE-71RS semi-slick tyre.
Bridgestone’s return to premier motorsport in New Zealand complements the company’s global motorsport portfolio, which also includes TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86/BRZ Cup in Japan, Super GT Series, Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and the NTT INDYCAR® Series in America - building on Bridgestone’s rich 60 years of history in motorsport.
Bridgestone’s signing as the title partner of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship coincides with the launch of the new generation car and TGRNZ Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol says it’s the perfect tyre for the new championship car.
Bridgestone was selected by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand as the tyre supplier following a competitive tender process, with extensive testing of the Potenza RE-71RS conducted at Hampton Downs and Taupo International Motorsport Park.
“The RE-71RS has performed exceptionally well during the testing programme for the new GR86 and will bring out the best in the car, which is quicker and more focussed on track performance than the old car,” he said.
“The Toyota 86 Championship had a rich history of producing great racing and great talent and this will continue with the Bridgestone GR86 Championship. Having a common tyre in both the GR86 Championship and the Toyota 86 Trophy Series will also provide valuable continuity for developing drivers looking to step from the TR86 to the new GR86.”
The partnership of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ and Bridgestone is an excellent fit, says Toyota Vice President Andrew Davis. “We do share a lot in common as brands. We both want to be successful on track and we both value motorsport as a way to ultimately improve our product.”
According to Bridgestone Australia Managing Director, Heath Barclay, Bridgestone’s return to local motorsport is a demonstration of Bridgestone’s passion to race, win, embrace challenge, and accelerate innovation.
“Last year we celebrated the 60 years of Bridgestone motorsport activities by showcasing our global initiatives, and I am thrilled to once again be involved in motorsport in the local market. The addition of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship in New Zealand is a fantastic addition to Bridgestone’s motorsport activity, and a perfect alignment for us in New Zealand,” Mr Barclay said.
“The Bridgestone GR86 Championship is the ideal platform to showcase our Potenza RE-71RS semi-slick tyre and demonstrate our passion for the next generation of racers through our support of the series.”
Globally, Bridgestone is reinforcing its sustainable motorsport activities based on the message of ‘Passion to Turn the World,’ which expresses its commitment to evolving its motorsport activities. Using racing as a "mobile laboratory," Bridgestone utilises insights from motorsport in the development of its next generation of replacement tyres under the concept "From Circuit to Street”.
Bridgestone Director of New Zealand Business, John Staples, says that the Bridgestone GR86 Championship is the ideal platform to promote Bridgestone’s range of premium tyres.
“We’re excited to be the title partner of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship because motorsport is deeply embedded in our company’s heritage. The series has a highly engaged fanbase and plays such a pivotal role in launching the careers of Kiwi racers,” Mr Staples said.
“We’re looking forward to sharing the passion with the teams and drivers, and also using the undeniable synergy between Bridgestone and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand to showcase our Potenza range of performance tyres, and in particular, the Potenza RE-71RS semi slick the championship will utilise.”
The 2024/25 Bridgestone GR86 Championship takes place over six rounds, starting at Taupo International Motorsport Park from 21-23 November. It will restart in the New Year with the second round at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on 17-19 January. The championship will then head to the deep south for the third round two weekends later – January 31st – February 2nd at the Teretonga Park Raceway in Invercargill. A week later it’s Highlands as a main support for the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend.
The drivers and teams then get a chance to take a breath before the final two rounds of the championship, which are both in the North Island. The penultimate round will be on the Hampton Downs National Circuit over the weekend of March 21-23. The season finale which will be at the Supercars event at the Taupo International Motorsport Park on April 11th-13th.
2024-2025 GR86 Championship
Round 01: 22-24 November 2024, Taupo International Motorsport Park
Round 02: 17-19 January 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (International Layout)
Round 03: 31 Jan – 2 February 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 04: 7 – 9 February 2025, Highlands Motorsport Park, 69th New Zealand Grand Prix
Round 05: 21-23 March 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (National Layout)
Round 06: 11-13 April 2025, Taupo International Motorsport Park - Supercars
*1 The Bridgestone E8 Commitment
The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight uniquely Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society. https://www.bridgestone.com.au/corporate/sustainability/e8-commitment
About Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand:
Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand offers a range of services and solutions to all segments of the Australian market to deliver social value and customer value. Bridgestone’s extensive range of quality tyres is complemented by the provision of mechanical and fleet services through the company’s nationwide retail network of Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto, Bridgestone Service Centres and Bridgestone Tyre Centres, mobile service provider Lube Mobile, and the manufacturing and sale of quality retreads through Bandag Pty Limited. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tyres and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone is a global leader in tyres and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tyres and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
