CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 4 | Wood leads from the start to claim the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy - Motorsport

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Race 4 brought the 2026 CTFROT Round 2 weekend at Taupo to a dramatic conclusion, as Ryan Wood converted a strong start into victory in the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. Despite crosswinds, high tyre degradation and a mid-race Safety Car, Wood controlled the race from the front and resisted late pressure to secure the win. Behind him, battles raged throughout the field, with strategy, incidents and push-to-pass playing decisive roles.

2026 CTFROT Race 4 Grid set after dramatic Qualifying 2 at Taupo

Qualifying 2 set the starting order for Race 4 after a tense, rain-affected session. Jack Taylor led the field from pole position, with mtec Motorsport’s Ryan Wood alongside him on the front row.

Yevan David and Kanato Le started third and fourth, while Louis Sharp and James Wharton lined up fifth and sixth. Yuanpu Cui and Freddie Slater occupied the fourth row, ahead of Ernesto Rivera and Jin Nakamura in ninth and tenth.

Championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu began from 11th alongside Fionn McLaughlin. Zack Scoular, who won Race 3, and Nolan Allaer followed, with Kalle Rovanperä and Ricardo Baptista behind them. Cooper Shipman and Sebastian Manson filled row nine, while Trevor LaTourrette completed the grid.

Wood takes control off the line as incidents reshape the order

Unlike Qualifying 2, Race 4 began in dry conditions. Wood launched cleanly and seized the lead off the line, while Le surged around the outside to claim second. As a result, Taylor dropped to third, with Sharp quickly moving into podium contention.

Further back, Slater defended fifth under pressure from David and Wharton, while Ugochukwu made early progress from 11th. Meanwhile, Cui and Nakamura settled into the top ten as Allaer defended against Rivera.

By Lap 4, Wharton ran wide and dropped to 17th, promoting David and Ugochukwu. At the same time, Wood edged clear of Le, although Sharp remained firmly in contention.

Soon after, Ugochukwu passed David and began to pressure Slater, before using push-to-pass to move into fifth on Lap 7. Slater then ran wide and fell down the order, while Wood extended his advantage at the front.

On Lap 11, Nakamura passed David for sixth as midfield battles intensified. Moments later, Slater ran off at Turn 11, and shortly afterwards contact between Scoular and Rivera left Scoular stranded. Consequently, the Safety Car deployed on Lap 13, neutralising Wood’s lead.

Restart sparks late battles, but Wood seals the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy

Racing resumed on Lap 16, and Wood timed the restart perfectly to pull clear once again. Le held second ahead of Sharp, while Taylor and Ugochukwu fought fiercely behind.

Ugochukwu eventually passed Taylor using push-to-pass, although Taylor responded with a late challenge. Meanwhile, Nakamura joined the fight and later moved ahead, as battles continued deep into the field.

On the final lap, Wood remained composed and crossed the line more than 1.5 seconds clear to secure victory. Le finished second after a consistent drive, with Sharp completing the podium. Ugochukwu followed in fourth, while Nakamura passed Taylor late on to take fifth.

Although post-race penalties remained possible, Wood’s commanding performance ensured he closed the Taupo weekend on the top step.