Toyota GT86 Cup race cars (2012–present)
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.
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 5. The prototype won the V3 class at the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours 4. The DMSB approved it, so it could also enter other German production-based championships 1.
For 2013 TMG launched the GT86 Cup inside the VLN endurance championship, with a €2,500 entry fee and about €50,000 in prizes 2. Only CS-V3 cars could enter. By mid-2013 Cup drivers were lapping the Nordschleife in under ten minutes 1. In 2016 TMG replaced the car with the lighter, more powerful CS-Cup, and offered an upgrade kit for 2015 cars 3.
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 7. The series started in November 2013 at Highlands Motorsport Park and has run every summer since, under several names 79. Only cars built by Toyota's New Zealand racing arm are eligible 8.
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 10. For 2024 a turnkey GR86 car replaced it at A$89,990, and the older cars moved to a feeder series 1112. In the USA, Toyota Racing Development builds GR86 Cup cars in Mooresville, North Carolina, for the SRO-run GR Cup, which began in 2023 14.
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 14. 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) 9. Tim Brook won the 2018 Australian series, where Broc Feeney also raced 13. A TMG 86 Cup car made a one-off start in Pirelli World Challenge TCA at Utah in August 2017 21.
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.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMG GT86 CS-V3 | 2012–2015 (2014 spec required for the Cup) | Standard FA20 engine and 6-speed manual, racing exhaust, Öhlins suspension (2014 spec), vented discs with racing pads, 17-inch slicks, cage, fire system, quick-release bonnet and boot lid. 4 | Left-hand drive German build with TMG paperwork and DMSB papers. Ask for the TMG chassis or build number. |
| TMG GT86 CS-Cup | 2016 onwards | Upgraded CS-V3 with a large weight cut, more engine development and some parts taken from the CS-R3 rally car. 2015 cars could be brought to this level with an upgrade kit. 3 | Ask for the upgrade-kit invoice or TMG build sheet. 2015 cars without the kit stayed eligible, so both specs exist in the market. |
| Toyota New Zealand TR86 | 2013 onwards | 86 RC base car with FIA six-point cage, Sparco seat, Motec colour dash, adjustable race suspension, race brakes and 18-inch Speedline wheels. 8 | Right-hand drive, built by Toyota's New Zealand racing arm, low-volume vehicle certification. Only these cars are eligible for the NZ series. |
| Toyota 86 Racing Series car, Australia (ZN6) | 2016–2023 | Road 86 fitted by Neal Bates Motorsport with MCA coil-overs, AP Racing brakes (330/316 mm), OZ 18-inch wheels, TRD oil cooler, baffled sump, throttle stop, rear wing and a locked Motec M150 ECU. Cage and seat were sourced separately. 10 | Right-hand drive Australian-delivered 86 with Neal Bates parts and a CAMS logbook. |
| TGRA GR86 race car, Australia (ZN8) | 2024 onwards | Turnkey car on the FA24 2.4-litre engine (180 kW), 6-speed manual with lighter flywheel, Motec M150 ECU and C125 dash, MCA dampers, AP Racing brakes, Dunlop Direzza Z3 tyres, no traction control. 12 | GR86 body with a single-tip control exhaust and Neal Bates build papers. |
| Toyota GR Cup GR86, USA | 2023 onwards | FA24 engine, 228 hp, Bosch engine management, SADEV 6-speed sequential, Alcon brakes, JRi coil-overs, Continental slicks on 18-inch Rotiform wheels. 15 | Left-hand drive, built by TRD in Mooresville, sealed engine, sequential gear lever. |
Known issues
- Valve spring fracture on 2012–2013 engines — Engine stalls while driving and may not restart. Further engine damage is possible. Affects cars built in 2012 and 2013, which includes early CS-V3 and TR86 bases. Free under the 2018 recall; unknown if done privately 19
- Oil pressure drops under sustained lateral load (FA20) — Pressure dips in high-G right-hand corners; one test logged 18 psi at 5,000–7,200 rpm. Extended loads have caused starvation and engine failure. unknown (engine replacement if it fails) 18
- Gearbox wear on ZN6-based cars — The ZN6 box lacks the ZN8 revisions: upgraded 3/4/6 fork, 4th-gear carbon synchro and tighter shift bushings. Expect worn shift feel on hard-raced boxes. 20
- Sequential gearbox and clutch service on US GR Cup cars — One 2023 car needed a gearbox rebuild and new clutch before about 2,280 miles total. Budget for SADEV servicing. 16
- Broken seals or non-control parts — Engines and gearboxes in several series are sealed. A broken seal or a non-control part can make the car ineligible until the series re-seals it. 14
- Superseded spec in Australia — ZN6 cars left the main TGRA series after 2023 and now race in the feeder series. One seller notes a category camera is needed before 2027 entry. 17
Checklist 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. 19
- 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. 8
- 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. 14
- 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. 3
- 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. 16
- 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. 18
- 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. 17
Running costs 15
| Rebuild interval | Not published. Sealed engines are serviced under each series' rules; one US seller reported 46 race hours on a 2023 engine 16. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | unknown |
| Consumables | Control tyres: Dunlop Direzza Z3 in Australia, Bridgestone in NZ, Continental slicks in the USA 91215. Entry fees: €2,500 a year for the 2013 TMG Cup 2, A$1,500 a round in Australia in 2016 10, US$32,000 a season in the US GR Cup in 2023 15. |
| Spares availability | Engine, gearbox and body parts are shared with the road 86/GR86. Race parts come through the series suppliers: TMG, Neal Bates Motorsport, Toyota NZ and TRD 110814. |
Where it races today
- VLN / NLS Nürburgring · V3 and TMG GT86 Cup — Cup open to TMG CS-V3 (2014 spec) and later CS-Cup cars; N24 not on the Cup calendar but V3 class open. 1
- German production-based championships · DMSB-approved car — DMSB approval lets the CS-V3 enter other production-based series. 1
- GR86 Championship New Zealand / Toyota 86 Trophy Series · TR86 one-make — Only TR86 cars built by Toyota's New Zealand racing arm. 8
- TGRA 86 Series (Australia) · GR86 one-make — Turnkey GR86 car from 2024. 12
- TGRA feeder series (Australia) · Previous-generation 86 — Home for ZN6 cars after 2023. 11
- Toyota GR Cup North America (SRO) · GR86 one-make — TRD-built cars, sealed engines, from 2023. 14
Market prices
- TMG GT86 CS-V3, new, excluding tax: €38,500 EUR (2013-04) 5
- Toyota NZ TR86, new, plus GST, with Motec dash and spare wheels: NZ$78,000 NZD (2013-06) 7
- Australian Toyota 86 race-ready car (road car plus NBM package), new: under A$70,000 AUD (2016-01) 10
- TGRA GR86 turnkey race car, new: A$89,990 AUD (2022-10) 11
- US GR Cup GR86, new: US$125,000 USD (2023-03) 14
- 2023 US GR Cup GR86, 46 race hours, high bid at online auction (sale not confirmed): US$40,774 USD (2024-12) 16
- Ex-TGRA ZN6 86 for the feeder series, asking prices on my105: A$55,000–75,000 AUD (2026-11) 17
In November 2026 ZN6 cars for the Australian feeder series were asking A$55,000–75,000, while a US GR Cup car drew a US$40,774 high bid in December 2024, about a third of its new price. A racingcarnetwork.com search in November 2026 showed no 86-based race cars listed 1617.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
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), DailySportscar (2013-07) — Cup eligibility, VLN V3, DMSB approval, price, 2013 N24 class result, sub-10-minute laps
- TMG GT86 Cup at the VLN 2013, VLN / Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (2012-12) — Cup launch, entry fee, prize fund, prototype test mileage
- TMG GT86 Cup 2016 – The better package, VLN / Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (2016-01) — CS-Cup changes, upgrade kit, 2016 entry fees and prizes
- 2014 Toyota Motorsport GT86 CS-V3 race car, GTspirit (2014-02) — 2014 CS-V3 specification, Öhlins, wheels, brakes, 2012 N24 class win
- Toyota GT86 CS-V3 for the Nürburgring VLN series, Paul Tan's Automotive News (2013-04) — CS-V3 engine, gearbox, safety kit, price
- Toyota GT 86 CS-V3 specifications, Ultimatecarpage.com (2012) — Engine capacity, power, torque, chassis and suspension layout
- Toyota's 86 goes racing, Toyota New Zealand (2013-06) — TR86 price, base car, equipment, series start, road certification
- TR 86 Trophy Series: The car, Toyota New Zealand (2026) — TR86 equipment and eligibility
- Toyota Finance 86 Championship, Wikipedia (2026) — NZ series start, names, champions, tyres
- Toyota keeps pricing low for 86 racer, GoAuto (2016-01) — Australian ZN6 package contents, price, entry fee
- Toyota GR86 race car priced at $89,990, CarExpert (2022-10) — TGRA GR86 price, feeder series for ZN6 cars
- 2024 Toyota TGRA 86 race car review, CarExpert (2023-04) — GR86 race car specification and control parts
- 2018 Toyota 86 Racing Series, Wikipedia (2026) — 2018 Australian champion and drivers
- Toyota GR Cup single-make sports car racing, NBC Sports (2023-03) — US GR Cup price, builder, sealed engines, prize fund
- What car do racers drive in the Toyota GR Cup?, SlashGear (2024-10) — US GR Cup specification, season entry fee
- 2023 Toyota GR86 Cup Race Car, PCARMARKET (2024-12) — Used US GR Cup car high bid, hours, gearbox rebuild, spares
- Toyota 86 for sale, my105 (2026-11) — Australian asking prices, sealed motor and gearbox, camera note
- Testing the effectiveness of Canton's Accusump on the racetrack, EngineLabs (2024-03) — FA20 oil pressure loss under lateral load
- Subaru and Toyota recall over 400,000 vehicles for faulty valve springs, The Drive (2018-11) — Valve spring recall scope and symptoms
- The TL70, AZ6 & J160 transmission and gearbox information guide, Think the Thunk (2024) — TL70 gearbox revisions between ZN6 and ZN8
- Toyota TMG 86 Cup car to run in Pirelli World Challenge, The Drive (2017-08) — 2017 PWC TCA one-off entry
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 7.
- TRD builds the US GR Cup cars in a former textile mill dating from 1892, while Joe Gibbs Racing fits the roll cages 14.
- TMG ran a 2012 CS-V3 prototype for more than 7,000 test kilometres before the first Cup season 2.
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