Leading US racing organisation HMD Motorsports will partner with TJ Speed Motorsports to contest the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). As a result, the combined operation will run a three-car line-up under the banner HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed.
The team will join the championship’s four existing outfits when the four-round series begins in January 2026. Moreover, the announcement signals a significant boost for New Zealand’s premier single-seater championship. Consequently, the expanded grid reflects growing international interest following recent calendar changes.
HMD’s proven pedigree in American racing
Historically, HMD Motorsports has competed in Indy Lights and INDY NXT since its formation in 2019. Additionally, the team forged an alliance in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES between 2022 and 2023 and entered the Formula Regional Americas championship in 2020. However, HMD has built its strongest reputation through INDY NXT success.
Notably, HMD has run drivers such as Christian Rasmussen, Linus Lundqvist, Kyffin Simpson, Benjamin Pedersen and Nolan Siegel. Furthermore, the team has claimed two teams’ championships, finished runner-up twice, and secured two drivers’ titles since 2021. Similarly, rising INDYCAR star David Malukas, son of team owner Henry Malukas, also progressed through INDY NXT with HMD.
New Zealand’s role in driver development
Importantly, the New Zealand-based series has acted as a critical development platform for many HMD-linked drivers. For example, Josh Pierson, Liam Sceats, Tommy Smith, Callum Hedge, Bryce Aron and Nikita Johnson all advanced from the championship to INDY NXT. In addition, the series has helped launch NTT INDYCAR SERIES careers, including those of Louis Foster and Jacob Abel.
Furthermore, as an FIA-certified category, the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy awards Super Licence points. Therefore, the series continues to offer a direct and credible pathway for ambitious drivers aiming for top-level single-seater racing.
Shared ambitions and competitive goals
Explaining the partnership, HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini said: “We are looking to strengthen the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy grid in New Zealand by prioritizing a competitive driver line-up that represents HMD and TJ Speed.
“With two strong and growing programs, joining forces to compete abroad, we will be able to combine our efforts and help get some drivers that could potentially compete with us in 2025, with some additional track time.”
Consequently, the alliance allows both teams to maximise resources while preparing drivers for future campaigns.
A strengthened pathway between markets
Meanwhile, the championship’s influence continues to resonate within IndyCar. IndyCar drivers Santino Ferruci, Devlin DeFrancesco, Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Marcus Armstrong and Robert Schwartzman all graduated from New Zealand’s premier single-seater series. Therefore, the pathway between Oceania and North America remains firmly established.
Highlighting the broader impact, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol explained: “We have built a strong reputation in the United States as a great feeder series for IndyCar feeder series such as IndyNXT and the USFPro Championships.
“Removing the clashes in the NZ racing calendar and the US testing calendar cleared the way for more teams in key markets to join our championship, and the speed with which HMD Motorsports and TJ Motorsports have committed is reflective of the interest in New Zealand. Their addition will only make that pathway stronger both ways.”
Ultimately, the arrival of HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed signals a new chapter for the 2026 Oceania Trophy, strengthening competition while reinforcing a proven international development route.
