GR Cup Racing!

[Opie]

I am making the push to run the GR Cup race weekend as an official driver entry for the Barber Motorsports Park event on September 25-27, 2026!

Please follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592816786045

SRO Competition License has been granted, car has been purchased, race support from BSI Racing has been arranged and testing is underway.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/980406958349930

Excited is an understatement...now I'm working to get some funding to help me along....working to make the FT86Club community proud!

[Opie]

Moderators, if this isn't acceptable, please remove this post.

FT86Club members, you may know that motorsports is expensive, in order to make this race a reality, I am admittedly a few $$ short.

I am seeking some sponsorship support funding to help make this a reality. If you own, or know of a business, that would like to participate in some Motorsports advertising, I'd love to talk!

I've got different levels of promotion and advertising available, let's find something that makes sense for each of us! Message me for my contact information.

I've also got T-Shirts available to help fund this, you can get yours here: https://openfender.com/profile/will-conklin/shop

[coolhandluke]

This is awesome! I'm super excited for you and I can't wait to see this in person at the track.

[Opie]

Fellow FT86Club members, the series requires me to purchase 2 new sets of Continental tires, a 55 gal drum of race fuel in addition to the entry fees....between the car, the license, the entry fees and the team support I'm down to just needing this, lodging and meals for the 4 day trip...I am so close to be able to live this dream....if you can help, any little bit....I would be forever grateful! A little under 6 weeks to go.....

https://gofund.me/d90b3e410

[Opie]

#19 was approved....in 20 days I'll be loading into Barber!

[Opie]

14 Days

That’s right. As of this writing, 14 days, 10 hours, 48 minutes and 25 seconds until my Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup Series debut at Barber Motorsports Park.

It’s hard to believe that something I’ve dreamed about for so long is now just two weeks away.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped make this possible — my wife, my family, my friends, Chin Track Days and its incredible family of drivers, Corsa Crew - Motorsport Products & Services, BSI Racing, Gumz Custom Art, and AZP Installs. Without your support, encouragement and belief in me, this would still be just another unrealized dream.

As with any undertaking like this, the deeper you get into it, the more little things seem to pop up. But we are committed. BSI Racing is prepping the car, and I’m chasing down all those little details that seem to keep appearing.

We’ll be ready.
And when we get there, I’m going to have fun.

That’s the goal.
Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake.

I also want to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to help make sure I’m as prepared as I can possibly be.

John Rudolf (Ginetta Challenge) has been putting me through some intense SIM training, helping me learn Barber from every possible angle, and introducing every racing scenario, before I ever race a lap there.

Ethan Low has been helping coach me in the car, as well as through data and video, for several years. His knowledge, patience and willingness to share it have been invaluable as I’ve worked to become a better driver.

And a special thank you to the GR Cup veterans and racing legends who have taken the time to call, email or text with advice, encouragement and words of wisdom: Spike Kohlbecker, Bill DeLong, Rutledge Wood, Patrick Brunson, Henry Drury, Devin Anderson and Ron Zitza. For someone about to take his first green flag in this series, having experienced GR Cup drivers and Rolex 24 Legends willing to share their knowledge means more than I can put into words.

I’m honestly overwhelmed, flattered and a little bit in awe of the support that has surrounded this journey. So many people have invested their time, knowledge, resources and encouragement to help me get to this point.

I’ll carry all of that with me when I roll onto the grid.

And when that checkered flag waves for Race #1 on September 26th at Barber Motorsports Park, I’ll know that I didn’t get there alone.

Thank you.

Now… let’s go racing.

Barber Motorsports Park — GR Cup Schedule
Saturday, September 26
• Qualifying 1: 12:15 PM CT / 5:15 PM GMT
• Race 1: 3:30 PM CT / 8:30 PM GMT

Sunday, September 27
• Qualifying 2: 8:05 AM CT / 1:05 PM GMT
• Race 2: 10:40 AM CT / 3:40 PM GMT

Both races will be streamed live on the GTWorld YouTube channel, so if you can't be at Barber, you can still watch #19 take the green.