Karishma Persad, Author at Pit Debrief

James Wharton secured his first 2026 CTFROT win at Taupo, mastering a reversed grid Race 2 filled with pressure, penalties and late drama.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 2 | Wharton triumphant after tense race in Taupo

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

James Wharton delivered a controlled and decisive performance to secure his first victory in Race 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Taupo, mastering a race shaped by a reversed grid, sustained pressure at the front and multiple strategic turning points. Starting from the second row, the HMD Motorsport with…

Ryan Wood wins Race 1 at Taupo in 2026 CTFROT Round 2, with Ugochukwu 2nd and Slater completing the podium after an intense battle.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 1 | Wood continues dominant weekend in Taupo with Race 1 win

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Ryan Wood delivered a calm and authoritative drive to win Race 1 of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Taupo. The mtec Motorsport driver recovered from a brief loss of the lead at the start to reassert control and steadily pull clear. Behind him, Ugo Ugochukwu converted a…

Ryan Wood snatches late pole at Taupo in Qualifying 1 as Ugochukwu and Scoular close in for Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Qualifying 1 | Wood delivers late lap to claim pole for Race 1

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Ryan Wood claimed pole position for the opening race of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT)after a dramatic Qualifying 1 session at Taupo International Motorsport Park. Following an already impressive Friday, the mtec Motorsport driver confirmed his status as the man to beat with a blistering final flying lap…

Luke Hilton returns to GB4 with Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing for 2026 after strong qualifying pace and a 2025 podium finish.

Luke Hilton returns to GB4 with Nitrous Competition ADM Racing for 2026

Karishma Persad5 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Luke Hilton has rejoined Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing for the 2026 GB4 Championship, marking a return to a team with which he has already built strong familiarity. The 18-year-old Briton now aims to convert raw speed into more consistent front-running results. The Essex driver enters his second GB4 campaign after establishing himself as one of…

Zhuhai joins 2026 SRO GT Cup calendar as five-event season opens at Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

SRO GT Cup confirms five-event schedule for 2026 with Zhuhai joining the calendar

Karishma Persad5 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The second season of the SRO GT Cup will feature five events and nine races in 2026, with Zhuhai International Circuit joining the calendar. Once again, the championship begins in support of the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in mid-March. However, organisers have introduced notable changes elsewhere on the schedule,…

Ford confirms Hypercar drivers and a 5.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 as preparations intensify for its ambitious 2027 WEC return.

Ford reveals drivers and V8 engine for 2027 WEC Hypercar programme

Karishma Persad5 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Ford has taken another major step toward its return to the top class of endurance racing. The manufacturer has confirmed the first drivers for its forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar programme while revealing key technical details about the 2027 Ford Racing entry. The announcements came during the brand’s annual Season Launch event at…

TFT Racing secures 2026 Dubai 24H Qualifying pole as Benjamin Paque shines in historic GT3 shoot-out amid fierce multi-class battles.

24H Series Middle East | 24H Dubai | Qualifying | TFT Racing storms to pole in historic GT3 shoot-out

Karishma Persad5 months ago3 months ago04 mins

TFT Racing secured a landmark pole position for the Michelin 24H Dubai, as Benjamin Paque produced a stunning lap in the series’ first-ever GT3 ‘Top 10 Shoot-Out’. Consequently, the Belgian driver placed the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO firmly at the front of the grid. Paque’s decisive lap of 1m55.597 seconds proved untouchable. Not only did it…

Ryan Wood tops two Taupo practice sessions as Wharton and Slater close in ahead of Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Practice | Wood sets the early pace amid mixed conditions and disruptions

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Ryan Wood laid down a clear marker ahead of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) by topping two of Friday’s three practice sessions at Taupo. In doing so, the mtec Motorsport driver underlined his intent to bounce back strongly after his premature exit from the final feature race at…

Jordan Pepper begins his BMW GT3 journey, focusing on adaptation, learning from teammates, and long-term career growth.

Pepper embarks on fresh chapter with BMW in 2026 with eyes on long-term future

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Jordan Pepper has urged realism as he begins his BMW factory career, stressing that instant dominance remains unrealistic when switching manufacturers. While speaking to Sportscar365, the South African GT star made clear that adaptation, not expectation, defines his mindset as he steps into the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, noting that “it’s not like you hop…

Kyojo Cup champion Rio Shimono steps up to FR Japan with Dr. Dry while committing to defend her title in 2026.

Kyojo Cup champion Rio Shimono earns FR Japan promotion with Dr. Dry for 2026

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Rio Shimono will step up to the Formula Regional (FR) Japanese Championship in 2026, joining Dr. Dry for her first campaign at regional single-seater level. The move follows a commanding title-winning season in the Kyojo Cup, where she established herself as one of the most successful drivers in the series’ history. At 25 years old,…