Cooper Barnes’s Supercar dream

COOPER Barnes is in New Zealand this week for the international round of the Bridgestone GA200 Racing 86 Championship (GR Cup).

The first round starts Friday, 31 October.

There are six rounds in total, running until April 2026.

Cooper will be racing on some of the country’s toughest circuits, covering both the North and South islands.

He will also be racing before the V8 Supercars at Taupo in the final round on 10 April.

Cooper made a strong debut there last season, finishing 5th overall, and will be looking to make it into the top three this time around.

The Bonny Hills local has had an impressive year on the track, sitting a very respectable 6th in the Australian GR Cup.

The 17-year-old qualified 9th at the world-renowned Bathurst 1000 round, and also comfortably finished in the top 10 on the Gold Coast.

The GR Cup in New Zealand will give Cooper the opportunity to race against the world’s best up-and-coming drivers on the international stage.

Penny Barnes from the Cooper Barnes Racing Team explained, “The GR Cup is one of the key development categories for young drivers working their way up to the Supercars (V8s)”.

“It’s a great stepping stone for future Supercar drivers.

“The next step after the GR Cup would be to move to the next tier, Super 2, then the ultimate goal – to Supercars.”

Cooper will be travelling back and forth from New Zealand to Australia in between rounds, which will come at a huge cost.

The Cooper Barnes Racing Team will be hosting a fundraiser at the North Haven Bowling Club on Saturday, 22 November.

The “Full Throttle Fundraiser” will have a live hypnotist, as well as raffles, games, and prizes.

All of the proceeds will go towards funds for transport, accommodation, tyres, and race entry fees.

“Every bit of local support helps make this dream possible,” Penny Barnes said.

Tickets are available through the link events.humanitix.com/full-throttle-fundriser

By Jules BARDON