Big support for UK's first national GT86 meet

[Hachiroku]

Toyota GT86 drivers got their heads together recently to organise the UK’s first national gathering for owners and fans of our award-winning rear-wheel drive sportscar.




Held in a central location in Walsall, West Midlands, owners came from far and wide to attend – one in particular from the Netherlands, while another pair drove 275 miles from Glasgow. The early start was no doubt a shock to the system for many used to enjoying a lie-in on a Saturday morning, but fuelled with coffee and enthusiasm the miles were despatched with relative ease. Many travelling in the same direction organised to meet at motorway service stations along the way, which usually led to the dramatic sight of a convoy of GT86s playing ‘follow the leader’ and ‘leapfrog’ to the destination.



Over the course of the morning, the gathering attracted around 30 coupes, from factory standard cars to TRD special edition models and crazy turbocharged projects. What ensued was a valuable few hours of catch-up time where owners could put faces to names, swap ideas, kick tyres, refresh gleaming paintwork and admire each other’s cars.



As good as it always is to solidify kindred spirits, anticipation was brewing for another highlight of the day – a Grand Prix style kart race at Cannon Raceway. What an appropriate activity for a group of rear-wheel drive sportscar enthusiasts, for this was where driving skills honed by the GT86 chassis could be put to the test.



Competition on track was fierce but fair, spurred on by a huge collection of gifts for the winners. These were generously supplied by well-known aftermarket tuners and parts suppliers, fellow owners’ club members, and local dealerships. So many gifts were on offer that special categories had to be invited to share them all out. For instance, there was a special prize for the owner with the highest mileage car. We have a feeling this could have been judged two ways: odometer reading and by the owner with the broadest smile.



After the chequered flag fell and the podium finishers were awarded, everybody descended on a local pub for refreshment before heading back home again. This was likely the point at which the co-pilots got their well-deserved turn behind the wheel.



Buoyed by the turnout for this first national meet, a preliminary date has already been set for next year. Held earlier in the calendar this time around, the significance of the date (8 June, or 8/6) means it’s bound to be a success. We look forward to publishing another report on that event too.



Photos: Dan Steeples

Via: http://blog.toyota.co.uk/big-support...onal-gt86-meet

[ntron1]

Outstanding!

[ICantAffordAnLFA]

Just FYI

If anyone is visiting the UK, there is no point in visiting Walsall, or the wider West Midlands

[Tagera]

That's a very drool worthy meet. All those 86s everywhere.

[bunny86]

It was only a week ago that I saw a GT86 on the open road for the first time. They are quite rare around these parts.

[Bad Habits]

Originally Posted by bunny86

It was only a week ago that I saw a GT86 on the open road for the first time. They are quite rare around these parts.

Your info says you drive a starlet, as in a Toyota Starlet!? I saw a purple one at a car show in Dublin like 7 years ago. 3 door hatch, it was slammed to the ground, must have had 15 speakers in it, full body kit. The guy must have added several hundred pounds to it and told me it had like a 1.3l in it lol.

[bunny86]

Originally Posted by Bad Habits

Your info says you drive a starlet, as in a Toyota Starlet!? I saw a purple one at a car show in Dublin like 7 years ago. 3 door hatch, it was slammed to the ground, must have had 15 speakers in it, full body kit. The guy must have added several hundred pounds to it and told me it had like a 1.3l in it lol.

Ahhh, that's a bit out of date. Currently driving a Yaris T-Sport, my ninth Toyota. I had 2 Starlets, one was an SR which was great fun to drive. I always think Toyota missed a trick with the SR, it should have had the 5E-FHE engine and a six speed box. It would not have been anything like as hairy as the Glanza but would have made a great Warm Hatch.

[Kodename47]

Was a very enjoyable day. There were some very nice cars there!