Running errands in the Toyota 86RC

Photo by Ted Baghurst

This week started with quite a surprise when I was thrown the keys to Toyota's 86RC media car for a photoshoot for Driven. Now most people assume that because I work for a motoring magazine I get to go for a hoon in flash cars all the time. Takes a bit of explaining to get through that I normally am sitting in front of a computer and very rarely get invited along to photoshoots...

Anyway, while driving the 86 up and down Auckland's North Head and trying to drive as incognito as possible along the motorway on the way back to the office I got to thinking what the RC moniker in 86RC means.

Toyota is selling the RC as an internet only, stipped down version (if you don't customise at all) of the incredibly popular GT 86 that the buyer can fully customise to their tastes and needs. The main idea behind the stripped out RC mainly being that with the new single make race series on the horizon people will be buying them, ripping out most of the interior and chucking in a rollcage for the track.

My in car train-of-thought naturally progressed to this, what do you actually need to do to get yourself onto the track to have a blast?

So I've decided to explore this over the next couple of weeks. Starting with the basic track day next week.

'Til then, here's a vid about the 86 and its inspiration. The AE86 Corolla. Presented by a different English guy.

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