The Dunlop Destiny™ program was created to help emerging Circuit Excel competitors take the next step in their motorsport careers. Less than two years after being named the inaugural program winner, Tyler Collins has shown just how far that opportunity can lead.
Collins has claimed the 2026 Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Scholarship Series Championship, completing an impressive progression from Circuit Excel racing to the top of one of Australia’s leading development categories.
Creating a Pathway Beyond Circuit Excel
Developed by Dunlop Motorsport Australia in conjunction with the Circuit Excel Racing Association, the Dunlop Destiny™ program provides talented young competitors with an opportunity to develop their skills and experience racing at a higher level.
The program looks beyond outright speed. Competitors are assessed on their racecraft, car control, consistency, sportsmanship, professionalism, media presentation and ability to respond to coaching.
Collins earned his place in the inaugural program through his performances in the three-round 2024 Dunlop Destiny Series. He was then selected alongside five other emerging competitors to attend an exclusive evaluation day at Norwell Motorplex.
The finalists were challenged through a series of on-track and off-track activities while receiving guidance from experienced Australian motorsport competitors and coaches.
Following the evaluation, Collins was selected as the overall 2024 Dunlop Destiny™ winner and awarded a fully funded arrive-and-drive opportunity in the 2025 Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Scholarship Series at The Bend.
Making the Most of the Opportunity
The prize drive gave Collins his first opportunity to race in the Toyota 86 Scholarship Series and experience the step up from Circuit Excel competition.
After qualifying 23rd, Collins gained 11 positions to finish 12th in Race 1. He continued to demonstrate his racecraft throughout the weekend, climbing as high as sixth during Race 2 before a late mistake dropped him back to 12th.
Collins recovered in Race 3, fighting his way into the top ten and finishing ninth. The result placed him tenth overall for the round and demonstrated that he had the pace to compete in the category.
The experience gave Collins and his team valuable insight into what would be required to contest a full Toyota 86 Scholarship Series season.
From Prize Drive to Full Championship Campaign
Following the Dunlop Destiny™ prize drive, Collins and his team secured a Toyota 86 and committed to the full 2026 Scholarship Series.
The championship took Collins across five circuits in four states for a total of 15 races. In his September newsletter, Collins explained that the goal entering the season was to “be consistent, stay out of trouble, and let the results take care of themselves.”
That approach was tested during the opening round at Winton. A difficult weekend, which included being caught in an incident during the final race, left Collins 26th in that race and approximately ninth in the championship standings.
From that point, Collins produced a remarkable run of results.
Across the remaining 14 races, he recorded:
- 14 top-six finishes
- 11 podium finishes
- Three race victories
- One round victory
- Nine consecutive podium finishes
Excluding the 26th-place result at Winton, Collins achieved an average finishing position of 2.5 across the season.
The level of consistency that the Dunlop Destiny™ program seeks to identify and develop became one of the defining strengths of his championship campaign.
A Championship Decided in the Final Race
Collins entered the final round at Queensland Raceway 86 points behind championship leader Will Thompson. At that stage, Collins expected to consolidate second place in the standings, but events throughout the weekend brought the championship back within reach.
After qualifying ninth, Collins moved forward to finish fifth in Race 1 before securing second-place finishes in both Race 2 and Race 3. Combined with a difficult final round for Thompson, Collins’ consistent results created a substantial points swing and allowed him to take the championship lead in the final race of the season.
The result completed an extraordinary comeback from approximately ninth in the standings after Round 1 and secured Collins the 2026 Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Scholarship Series Championship.
Collins also recognised Thompson’s talent and the strength of his season. The pair had previously raced as teammates at The Bend, where Collins had seen Thompson’s ability firsthand.
Following the championship victory, Collins credited his father, Robbo, Matty, the wider Half Thumb Racing team and everyone who supported the campaign for helping make the achievement possible.
Demonstrating the Value of the Dunlop Destiny™ Program
Collins’ journey represents an important milestone for the Dunlop Destiny™ program.
The program gave him an opportunity to move beyond Circuit Excel, experience Toyota 86 competition and demonstrate his ability on a larger stage. Collins and his team then built upon that opportunity, returning for a complete season and converting it into a national championship.
His success demonstrates what can be achieved when emerging competitors are provided with meaningful development, experienced coaching and a genuine opportunity to take the next step.
Collins has now set his sights on progressing to the Toyota GR Cup in 2027, continuing his journey through Australia’s motorsport development pathway.
Dunlop Motorsport Australia congratulates Tyler Collins and everyone involved in his campaign on an outstanding achievement. We are proud to have helped provide the opportunity that began this chapter of his career and look forward to following where it takes him next.
