# Toyota GT86 Cup race cars (2012–present)

- Source: https://racingcarnetwork.com/wiki/toyota-gt86-cup/
- Publisher: Racing Car Network (racingcarnetwork.com), the race car marketplace
- Type: car · Brand: Toyota
- Discipline: gt-cup
- Series: one-make-cup
- Era: 2010s
- Last updated: 2026-11-06

Factory-built or factory-approved one-make racers based on the Toyota GT86, 86 and GR86 coupés. TMG built the CS-V3 and CS-Cup for the Nürburgring, Toyota New Zealand built the TR86, and Australia and the USA run their own spec cars. They suit club racers who want cheap, equal, rear-drive competition with factory parts support.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | FA20 2.0-litre flat-four, 1,998 cc, direct injection (CS-V3) [3][5]; FA24 2.4-litre flat-four, 2,388 cc (GR86-based cars) [11] |
| Power | 200 PS (197 bhp, 147 kW) at about 7,000 rpm, 205 Nm (CS-V3) [3][5]; 180 kW (TGRA GR86) [11]; 228 hp (US GR Cup) [14] |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (CS-V3, TGRA GR86) [4][11]; SADEV 6-speed sequential (US GR Cup) [14] |
| Chassis | Steel monocoque, stiffened, with FIA-approved roll cage [4][5] |
| Suspension | Öhlins dampers (2014 CS-V3) [3]; MCA coil-overs (Australia) [9]; JRi two-way adjustable (US GR Cup) [15] |
| Brakes | Vented discs with racing pads and extra cooling (CS-V3) [3]; AP Racing 330 mm front, 316 mm rear (Australia) [9][11]; Alcon with Bosch M5 ABS (US GR Cup) [15] |
| Wheels | 17-inch with slicks (CS-V3) [3]; 18-inch Speedline (NZ TR86) [7]; OZ 18 x 8 (Australia) [11] |
| Years | CS-V3 from 2012; CS-Cup from 2016; TR86 from 2013; Australian ZN6 car 2016–2023; GR86 cars from 2023 [2][4][8][9][10][13] |
| Class | VLN/NLS V3 and TMG GT86 Cup; national one-make series in NZ, Australia and the USA [0][7][11][13] |
| Price New | €38,500 ex VAT (CS-V3, 2013) [0]; US$125,000 (US GR Cup, 2023) [13] |

## History

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) in Cologne revealed the GT86 CS-V3 in 2012 as a low-cost customer racer. It kept the standard 200 PS boxer engine and six-speed manual, adding a stiffened shell, cage, racing suspension, brakes and exhaust [4]. The prototype won the V3 class at the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours [3]. The DMSB approved it, so it could also enter other German production-based championships [0].

For 2013 TMG launched the GT86 Cup inside the VLN endurance championship, with a €2,500 entry fee and about €50,000 in prizes [1]. Only CS-V3 cars could enter. By mid-2013 Cup drivers were lapping the Nordschleife in under ten minutes [0]. In 2016 TMG replaced the car with the lighter, more powerful CS-Cup, and offered an upgrade kit for 2015 cars [2].

Toyota New Zealand took its own route. It built the TR86 from the 86 RC base car and sold it for NZ$78,000 plus GST in 2013 [6]. The series started in November 2013 at Highlands Motorsport Park and has run every summer since, under several names [6][8]. Only cars built by Toyota's New Zealand racing arm are eligible [7].

Australia followed in 2016 with the Toyota 86 Racing Series, supporting Supercars rounds. Neal Bates Motorsport sold a race package for road cars, with a sub-A$70,000 race-ready price [9]. For 2024 a turnkey GR86 car replaced it at A$89,990, and the older cars moved to a feeder series [10][11]. In the USA, Toyota Racing Development builds GR86 Cup cars in Mooresville, North Carolina, for the SRO-run GR Cup, which began in 2023 [13].

## Palmarès

The CS-V3 prototype won the V3 class at the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours, and a Toyota Swiss Racing car kept that class title in 2013 [0][3]. In New Zealand the championship has been won by drivers such as Jamie McNee (2013–14) and Rowan Shepherd, the only back-to-back champion (2020–21, 2021–22) [8]. Tim Brook won the 2018 Australian series, where Broc Feeney also raced [12]. A TMG 86 Cup car made a one-off start in Pirelli World Challenge TCA at Utah in August 2017 [20].

## What to check before you buy

Run the VIN through the valve spring recall for 2012–2013 builds: The fault can stall the engine and cause further damage. Confirm the car's origin matches the series you want: TMG for the VLN Cup, Toyota's NZ racing arm for NZ, TRD for the US GR Cup: The NZ series accepts only officially built TR86 cars, and other series use their own builders. Inspect engine and gearbox seals and ask for the last series inspection or dyno record: US GR Cup engines are sealed and dyno-tested; a broken seal stops you racing. On a TMG car, ask whether the 2016 CS-Cup upgrade kit is fitted: 2015 cars without the kit stayed eligible but are heavier and slower. Ask for engine race hours and the gearbox and clutch rebuild history: Sellers quote hours (46 on one US car) and recent gearbox work, which drive the next bill. Look at logged oil pressure in long fast corners and check what sump baffle or oil system is fitted: The FA20 is known to lose oil pressure under sustained lateral load. List the spares included: wheel sets, control parts package, spare engine or gearbox: Listings range from bare cars to cars with a full TRD spares package or a spare engine, which changes the real price.

## Did you know

- The 2013 TR86 had low-volume vehicle certification, so its owner could drive it on the road with a MotorSport NZ competition licence [6].
- TRD builds the US GR Cup cars in a former textile mill dating from 1892, while Joe Gibbs Racing fits the roll cages [13].
- TMG ran a 2012 CS-V3 prototype for more than 7,000 test kilometres before the first Cup season [1].

## Frequently asked questions

**Is a TMG GT86 CS-V3 the same car as a GT86 Cup car?** In Europe, yes in practice. The TMG GT86 Cup inside the VLN was open only to CS-V3 cars, later updated to CS-Cup spec in 2016. There was no separate Cup chassis. Check whether a CS-V3 has the 2016 upgrade kit, because both specs were allowed to race.

**Can I race a New Zealand TR86 in Australia or Europe?** The TR86 is only guaranteed a place in the New Zealand series it was built for. Australia and the USA have their own control cars and builders. Elsewhere it would run as a modified 86 under local club rules, so check the class regulations before you import one.

**What happens to the old Australian 86 race cars?** The ZN6-based cars left the main TGRA 86 Series when the GR86 car arrived for 2024. Toyota created a feeder series to give them a home. Sellers in 2026 advertise them as eligible, sometimes noting extra kit such as a category camera for future seasons.

**Why is a used US GR Cup car so much cheaper than new?** New cars cost US$125,000 in 2023, plus a season entry fee. One 2023 car drew only a US$40,774 high bid in late 2024, and the reserve result is not stated. Small markets, sealed engines and series-only use limit buyers outside the GR Cup.

**What is the biggest mechanical risk on an FA20-engined cup car?** Oil supply in long, fast corners. Tests show pressure dropping in high-G right-handers, and extended loads have killed engines. Ask what sump baffle or oil system is fitted and look at the logged oil pressure. Also confirm the 2012–2013 valve spring recall is done.

## Sources

- Some Good News For TMG (TMG GT86 Cup and CS-V3) — https://www.dailysportscar.com/?p=10536
- TMG GT86 Cup at the VLN 2013 — https://www.nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de/language/en/2012/12/17/tmg-gt86-cup-at-the-vln-2013/
- TMG GT86 Cup 2016 – The better package — https://www.nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de/language/en/2016/01/25/tmg-gt86-cup-2016-the-better-package/
- 2014 Toyota Motorsport GT86 CS-V3 race car — https://gtspirit.com/2014/02/08/2014-toyota-motorsports-gt86-cs-v3-race-car/
- Toyota GT86 CS-V3 for the Nürburgring VLN series — https://paultan.org/2013/04/12/toyota-gt86-cs-v3-racecar
- Toyota GT 86 CS-V3 specifications — https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/5263/Toyota-GT-86-CS-V3.html
- Toyota's 86 goes racing — https://www.toyota.co.nz/about-toyota/toyota-news/2013/june/toyotas-86-goes-racing/
- TR 86 Trophy Series: The car — https://www.toyota.co.nz/toyota-racing/tr-86-trophy-series/about/the-car/
- Toyota Finance 86 Championship — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Finance_86_Championship
- Toyota keeps pricing low for 86 racer — https://goauto.com.au/new-models/toyota/86/racing-series/2016-01-29/18492.html
- Toyota GR86 race car priced at $89,990 — https://carexpert.com.au/car-news/toyota-gr86-race-car-priced-at-89990
- 2024 Toyota TGRA 86 race car review — https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2024-toyota-tgra-86-race-car-review
- 2018 Toyota 86 Racing Series — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Toyota_86_Racing_Series
- Toyota GR Cup single-make sports car racing — https://nbcsports.com/motor-sports/news/toyota-gr-cup-single-make-sports-car-racing-gr86-david-wilson-tyler-gibbs-jack-irving-akio-toyoda
- What car do racers drive in the Toyota GR Cup? — https://www.slashgear.com/1695326/toyota-gr-cup-car-details-gr86/
- 2023 Toyota GR86 Cup Race Car — https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/2023-toyota-gr-cup/
- Toyota 86 for sale — https://www.my105.com/cars/toyota-86-for-sale
- Testing the effectiveness of Canton's Accusump on the racetrack — https://www.enginelabs.com/news/testing-the-canton-accusump-effectiveness-at-preventing-starvation/
- Subaru and Toyota recall over 400,000 vehicles for faulty valve springs — https://www.thedrive.com/news/24634/subaru-and-toyota-recall-over-400000-vehicles-for-faulty-valve-springs
- The TL70, AZ6 & J160 transmission and gearbox information guide — https://sites.google.com/view/think-the-thunk/az6-j160-transmission
- Toyota TMG 86 Cup car to run in Pirelli World Challenge — https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13191/toyota-tmg-86-cup-car-to-run-in-pirelli-world-challenge.md

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