Riley Boswell is aiming to convert an eye-catching debut campaign over the winter into a successful first campaign in this coming season’s Bridgestone GR86 Championship.
The 16-year-old from Ngahinapouri will be a dark horse for race wins after showing an impressive turn of speed on his way to third place in the Toyota 86 Trophy Series.
Riley will run with family team REB Motorsport as he did during the Trophy Series and has been hard at work away from the track improving his fitness and securing an impressive list of sponsors for the forthcoming season.
One of the stars of the grassroots development series, he is aiming to put all the hard work and knowledge gained to good use when the season gets underway in November.
“The winter series taught me a lot about how the tyre works and how to get the best out of the car over a race,” said Riley. “Just as valuable was learning to race in such a close field against some very competitive drivers.
“You have to be precise every lap, and that experience will be a big advantage heading into the championship.”
Riley has targeted success in the Rookie category as he embarks on his first full Bridgestone GR86 Championship, and longer term is aiming to race in Australia in GTs or in Porsches as the next major landmark in his career. He’ll also dovetail his campaign in the GR86 alongside continued participation in the BMW Race Driver Series which, as he says ‘keeps me in a race car and sharp between weekends where I’ll be racing the GR86.”
Unsurprisingly, his successful winter campaign has helped him attract a decent portfolio of sponsors for the five-round championship. He’ll carry the support of Dayle ITM, Thomsons ITM, Shaws Wire Ropes, Gap & Fill, Dr Plumber, Morrinsville Tyre Centre, Fix Auto Hamilton South, LiuGong D&H Equipment, CDS, BLM, RTC, Pinto Trailers, Allens United Drainage and Excavation, Allied Petroleum, DTM Wheel and Tyre, Arrow Group, Laser Electrical Hamilton West and Collins Automotive.
“It’s a big list for sure, but none of this would be possible without the support of each and every one and I do want to emphasise that,” he added.
“And while not a sponsor as such, I think noting the opportunity given by GAZOO Racing NZ with its Winter series prizes is another key factor in making it possible.”
The Bridgestone GR86 Championship – which once again runs with the premier level Repco NextGen NZ Motorsport Championship series – gets underway in November at the Taupo International Motorsport Park at the PTS Logistics season opener.
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