As preparations continued for Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), rain and damp conditions quickly became the defining theme of the Collective Test sessions at Taupo. From the outset, persistent showers swept across the 3.3km circuit, ensuring that both sessions unfolded on a wet track. Consequently, outright lap times held little relevance. Nevertheless, with unsettled weather predicted for the race weekend, teams and drivers still extracted meaningful data from valuable running on wet tyres.
Sharp and David trade session success
In the opening session, Louis Sharp immediately set the tone. Despite the challenging conditions, the Round 1 race winner displayed confidence and control, ultimately emerging as the fastest driver of the morning. Meanwhile, the focus shifted in the afternoon as Yevan David topped the second session. Although the conditions remained far from ideal, David’s performance resonated strongly, particularly among his 65,000 social media followers, for whom the result provided a timely boost.
Importantly, David arrived at Taupo eager to rebuild momentum. At Hampton Downs, he fell victim to an incident in the Feature Race despite running competitively, leaving him frustrated but undeterred. As a result, the Taupo test offered a welcome opportunity to log clean laps and sharpen his race preparation ahead of a crucial weekend in his development.
Growing fan support adds to the atmosphere
Beyond the on-track action, enthusiasm around David continues to grow rapidly. At the opening round, around 50 fans made the journey to support him, waving Sri Lankan flags from the grandstands. This weekend, however, that figure looks set to rise significantly. Thanks to a well-publicised community cruise from Auckland on Sunday morning, a convoy of up to 80 cars will travel to Taupo to support the 18-year-old during the day’s racing, which includes the Denny Hulme Memorial Feature Race.
At the same time, interest in the Trophy extends far beyond the circuit. During Round 1, more than 120,000 viewers tuned in to the Toyota Gazoo Racing YouTube livestream for qualifying and races. By Thursday, that number had climbed to over 200,000 views, underlining the championship’s growing global appeal.
Early pace hints at a competitive 2026 CTFROT weekend in Taupo
Elsewhere in the field, Ryan Wood impressed by posting the second fastest time in the first session at a circuit where he previously claimed his maiden Supercars podium. Similarly, Fionn McLaughlin delivered consistency across both runs, placing third in the morning and fourth later in the day. Meanwhile, Jin Nakamura continued his strong form by securing second fastest time in the afternoon session.
Looking ahead, three official practice sessions on Friday should provide clearer indicators of true pace. Ultimately, the key question remains whether early championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu can maintain his Hampton Downs momentum. However, if the wet Taupo test proved anything, it is that adaptability and execution may once again shape the outcome of Round 2.
