The 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) began in impressive fashion as a tightly packed grid completed its first on-track running at Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park. Drivers took part in three acclimatisation runs, marking the opening chapter of what already looks set to be a fiercely contested season.
Teams focused primarily on helping drivers familiarise themselves with the cars and the New Zealand circuit, but the stopwatch still told a compelling story. Across the day, the field repeatedly produced astonishingly close lap times, with the top ten, and at times nearly the top 15, separated by less than a second.
Structured running and strong early pace
Following two initial shakedown runs, the 19-car field completed two full practice sessions, separated by a dedicated start-practice run. Teams used the sessions to build confidence, refine set-ups and assess race procedures rather than chase outright performance.
Despite that approach, lap times fell quickly, and several drivers showed front-running potential from the outset. The consistency across the field stood out as much as outright speed, reinforcing the sense that margins will remain razor-thin throughout the season.
Sharp sets the benchmark
New Zealand driver Louis Sharp emerged as the fastest overall performer of the day. Driving for mtec, Sharp posted a low 1 minute 30 second lap during the morning session, which remained the quickest time recorded across all running.
Sharp’s early pace immediately established him as a key contender and gave his team valuable momentum heading into the remainder of pre-season preparation.
Nakamura and Uguchokwu impress while Wood delivers at home
Hitech’s Jin Nakamura delivered a strong and consistent performance throughout the day. He topped the timesheets in the afternoon session, confirming his speed over longer runs and his ability to adapt quickly to evolving track conditions.
M2 Competition’s Ugo Uguchukwu also featured prominently near the front, showing impressive balance and composure across both practice sessions. His steady pace placed him firmly among the drivers to watch as the championship unfolds.
Meanwhile, supercars star Ryan Wood impressed on familiar ground. The Kiwi completed both practice sessions inside the top five and demonstrated excellent consistency. In the afternoon session, he secured third fastest time, just four tenths of a second behind Nakamura, and backed that up with fourth quickest in the morning. Wood’s performance highlighted his adaptability and suggested he could play a significant role in the 2026 campaign.
Rovanperä builds momentum
Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä experienced a Formula Regional car for the first time and made steady progress across the day. He finished the opening session just over a second adrift of Sharp’s benchmark and closed the gap further in the afternoon.
Rovanperä’s rapid improvement underlined his learning curve and hinted at greater pace to come as he gains more circuit experience.
A season poised for intensity
With minimal separation across the field and multiple drivers showing front-running potential, the opening day at Hampton Downs set an exciting tone. The 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy already promises close racing, constant pressure and a championship fight that could go down to the wire.
