The Northern Beaches-based CGR Performance team has confirmed a four-car driver lineup for Round 4 of the Toyota 86 Racing Series at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Australian GT Championship regular Pete Major and returning T86RS pilot Simon Samoilekno joining series regulars Dylan Thomas and Tim Brook.
The West Australian-based Major will step into the car driven by Jacob Andrews in the previous round of the series, and is looking forward to competing in another national series following a successful season in which he has already taken an outright Australian GT Championship race victory at the Clipsal 500, and a Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge round podium at Winton.
“I’ve known Dylan for a while, because he and his father used to compete in the Targa West tarmac rally over in Western Australia,” Major said.
“I’ve only raced at Bathurst once before – at this year’s 12 Hour – and never been to the 1000 before. Any laps you can do at Bathurst are valuable, and the 86 Series looks like a fun, competitive category.
“I haven’t tested the car so I’ll be learning on the fly, but I’ll still be aiming to finish somewhere in the top half of the field.”
Team owner Thomas is pleased to welcome Major to the team.
“Pete has raced everything from Formula Fords to GT cars, and gone well in everything he’s raced so he’s shown he can adapt quickly,” Thomas said.
“He complements a very well-balanced driver roster for our busiest round of the series so far.
“Tim (Brook) has had a very good start to the year and is third in the points, which is excellent. I had a few tough races at Townsville and Sydney Motorsport Park but I’m still in the top six, and Simon is back in the car and aiming for an enjoyable weekend at the Mountain.”
While running four cars presents some logistical challenges, Thomas says it’s nothing the team hasn’t experienced previously.
“We’ve run multiple cars in events like the Bathurst 6 Hour before, and because the 1000 is a four-day meeting, there’s generally plenty of time between most of the sessions.”
Practice for the Toyota 86 Series will be held on Thursday, 5 October followed by Qualifying and Race 1 on Friday, 6 October, Race 2 on Saturday, 7 October and Race 3 on Sunday, 8 October.
