Even at the cheapest level, motor racing is extremely expensive. So when car racers speak about affordable racing, they're still talking about tens of thousands of dollars a year. For young drivers aspiring to become professionals, getting to the top is as much about money as it is about talent.
Right through from karting to the junior car racing categories, youngsters need to find funding from benefactors and sponsors to keep climbing the ladder.
![Our man Foges puts the racing version of the Toyota 86 through its paces.](/web/20170428202700im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/q/7/y/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvqak0.png/1492864767179.jpg)
Every leading driver in the world's premier championships – from Supercars in Australia to Formula One internationally – required substantial financial support to reach the top.
Increasingly, young drivers are looking for more bang for their bucks when they graduate from karting, wanting a starter series that provides a training ground at a reasonable price and also exposure to the big team bosses.
For aspiring Supercars drivers, the Toyota 86 Racing Series has emerged as a potential pathway to becoming the next Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen or Scott McLaughlin.
It is a one-make competition open only to Toyota 86 sports cars upgraded for racing with strict controls on costs. Organisers claim it is the most affordable national-level series in the country, with a season of racing easily possible for less than $80,000.
That is still a lot of money, but in racing affordability is relative and, for an entry-level series, it is cost-effective.
The Toyota 86 Racing Series is on the support race program at five major Supercars events, showcasing young drivers to the V8 teams and gaining their sponsors coverage on live TV.
It also appeals to more established amateurs who want to have fun racing in a competitive series without crippling costs.
The second season of the Toyota 86 Racing Series begins at this weekend's Phillip Island 500, followed by appearances at the July 8-9 Townsville 400, August 19-20 Sydney SuperSprint, October 6-8 Bathurst 1000 and the new season-ending Newcastle 500 on November 25-26.
The series has attracted 38 entries, offering the dual appeal of racing at high-profile events for what in motor sport terms is a modest budget.
With limited modifications, the Toyota 86 is also a fun car to race. Because it is relatively under-powered, it requires precision and skill to race at the front of the field, but it is also benign enough and responsive enough to reward weekend warriors.
A few laps around Sydney Motorsport Park at the series launch underlined how user-friendly is the 86, which is powered by a two-litre, flat-four motor that drives the rear wheels in traditional sports car style.
It is low-slung and, from behind the wheel, sounds and feels like a racer, with a raspy engine note and sharp responses.
But the 86 racer is not intimidating. It is predictable and "chuckable" through the corners, allowing a moderately capable driver to push hard without fear of flying off the track.
That it is so tactile and lithe is due to four-time Australian rally champion Neal Bates, who developed the racing-spec mechanical modifications and safety equipment that have to be used by all competitors.
The kit costs about $25,000 and is on top of the cost of the car, which can be second-hand and cost as a little as $20,000.
With running costs as little as $4500 per event, plus travel expenses, a budget for the series could come in under $80,000. The entry fee per event is $1500, claimed to be the cheapest in mainstream national-level racing.
"They're bullet-proof, low-cost cars," said Supercars TV commentator Neil Crompton, whose AirTime Autosport company is running the series. "We were surprised just how little money was required to run the cars for a season. We did double-takes when we looked at some of the figures.
"By comparison with the sorts of numbers we've seen in other categories, this was the motor sport equivalent of petty cash."
Backed by Toyota Australia, Dunlop and Hino, the series has a total prize pool of $125,000 to further help offset the costs of competitors, especially the frontrunners.
More importantly, though, success in the series is noticed by Supercars and second-level Super2 teams, who are always on the lookout for new talent.
Last year's inaugural Toyota 86 Racing Series winner Will Brown is contesting this year's Super2 series with leading team Eggleston Motorsport.
Brown, 19, from Toowoomba, also won the 2016 Formula 4 championship, but it was T86RS success that earned his elevation to teammate of V8 veteran Paul Dumbrell, who uses the Super2 series to keep him sharp for the Supercars championship endurance races at Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.
Last year's runner-up Cameron Hill is expected to be a leading contender for this year's title, along with second-generation racers Aaron Seton – son of duel Supercars champion Glenn – and Ben Grice – son of V8 legend Allan.
Former Supercars drivers Jason Bargwanna and Warren Luff are included in the field as yardsticks for the youngsters.
Supercars legend Mark Skaife, who launched his career in a similar one-make (Ford Laser) series in the mid-1980s, endorses the Toyota 86 Racing Series as a breeding ground for the next generation of Supercars stars.
"I'm passionate about this style of racing," Skaife said. "It was something that was pivotal for my career.
"This is fantastic thing for Australian motor sport. It's cost-effective and a level playing field. It provides a genuine opportunity for talented young drivers to show their skills and the work ethic required to succeed in motor sport.
"To win the series is a massive stepping stone. It's a pathway to the top."