Traditionally, one make series are marketing exercises first and foremost, and they fall over when marketing resources are redirected or when there’s a new model on the horizon – at which point the automotive brand behind the series no longer wants to spend money in motor racing.
The Nissan Sentras, the Peugeots, even Ford had a go with the unloved Ka. BMW got close with the MGF when it launched, going so far as to ask Lyall Williamson to prepare a prototype racer with a locally built carbon fibre hardtop and locally designed roll cage before deciding not to proceed.
Undeniably, the 86 series can be seen in the same light. The car itself, co-developed with Subaru and with a bit of Yamaha induction/ignition/exhaust magic breathed on the flat four engines, was a genuine effort to breathe excitement into public perceptions of the Toyota brand.
Engine aside, it took several radical steps away from Toyota design and engineering practice. Rear wheel drive, for the first time in a generation. A coupe body style, the first since the Celica and Supra were killed off. Independent rear suspension with a huge range of mechanical and other diff options available aftermarket through TRS, Cusco and others. Body kits, both OEM and aftermarket. All designed to ramp up the passion index for gen Z and the Millennials.
Few will be unaware that the car’s name harks back to the original AE86, a rear drive hatchback that was a mainstay of Toyota’s group A and N rallying efforts and its customer race and rally programme. If you’ve driven the AE86, especially back in the 1980s when it was new, you will know the main thing the two cars share is the 86 nomenclature.
The original 86 was a track racer in sheep’s (plastic) clothing, a sublime oversteer machine that could be held at mad angles to the direction of progress on any surface. Its successes in the World Touring Car Championship and in rallying have few parallels.
By contrast, the current 86 is a finely tuned and balanced road car that is ‘made back’ into a race car with the inclusion of a multi-point full roll cage and some custom suspension and brake parts. Adjustable race struts, disc brakes the size of dinner plates and multiple piston brake calipers give plenty for teams to play with in getting the cars’ handling right for each circuit. The recent switch from Michelin slicks to grooved Hankook tyres has further levelled the playing field, creating a car that slides earlier but is more forgiving when it does.
While the road car has undergone a refresh styling-wise, the race series continues with the RC-based originals, building a steady supply from new each year. Only cars built by TRNZ to the TR86 specification can be raced in the series.
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