The trusted tyre brand is now the title partner for the Toyota GR86 Championship

Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand has confirmed 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.
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 focused on track performance than the old car,” TGRNZ Motorsport Manager, Nicolas Caillol, said.
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,” Andrew said.
According to Bridgestone Australia Managing Director, Heath Barclay, Bridgestone’s return to NZ 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,” Heath said.
“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.
“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 says it 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,” John said.
“The series has a highly engaged fanbase and plays such a pivotal role in launching the careers of Kiwi racers.
“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.

For more from Bridgestone, visit www.bridgestone.com.au