Harry Townshend is all set for his third season racing Toyota 86s, but with a new car and two years’ experience, the Hawke’s Bay racer is aiming big.

Townshend – currently in the final year of University study in Wellington – has high hopes of bettering a solid 2023-2024 season. The former karter was a regular in the top ten in the second half of the season and finished a commendable 11th in the championship points table, two places higher than in his debut season.

Now though, the 21 year old McKenzie Motorsport driver has his sights set firmly on the front of the field. “I’m definitely aiming for podiums at least, he explained after an impressive two day test in his new Bayswater Vehicles supported GR86.

“The first year was a learning year, the second year was about improving and with an even playing field, this year is all about performing and challenging for good results.”

Townshend is enjoying the new car, and says there is enough different about it and the new Bridgestone tyres to make the early rounds very interesting as drivers and teams figure out optimum set ups.

“It is a step up from the old car for sure and there’s more horsepower,” he added.

“Overall the performance of the car is an improvement, though there are still plenty of things to get your head around, like the way the brakes work. So there’s a bit of learning there and adapting to that quickly is going to be an advantage.”

Townshend will join a grid of more than 20 of the country’s best drivers for the six round championship which starts later this month at the Taupo International Motorsport Park and finishes at the same venue in April as one of the major support categories for the second visit to the track by the Australian Supercars Championship. He’ll take in races on both the North Island and South Island in between.