Taupo reshapes the 2026 CTFROT title fight as Ugochukwu extends his lead in Round 2 and the Teams’ Championship tightens.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT 2026: Standings after Round 2: M2 Competition holds on as Hitech and mtec close in at Taupo

Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Taupo reshaped the championship picture through four sharply contrasting races. While outright pace again mattered, Taupo placed greater emphasis on recovery drives, damage limitation and consistency across changing conditions. As a result, the standings after the second round reflect both sustained excellence…

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Ryan Wood wins a dramatic Race 4 at Taupo, overcoming Safety Car chaos and late battles to claim the 2026 CTFROT Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

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

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….

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Zack Scoular dominates 2026 CTFROT Race 3 at Taupo, converting pole into victory as Slater and Wood complete the podium on a drying track.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 3 | Scoular converts pole to victory in dominant showing at Taupo

Unlike the wet conditions that defined the morning’s Qualifying session, Race 3 of Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT unfolded on a drying circuit at Taupo. With grip steadily improving, mtec Motorsport’s Zack Scoular converted pole position into a commanding victory, controlling the race from the early laps and fending off sustained pressure behind. Grid…

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Jack Taylor snatches pole in a rain-hit 2026 CTFROT Qualifying 2 at Taupo, edging Wood and David after a dramatic, red-flagged session.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Qualifying 2 | Taylor triumphs in thrilling wet-weather session

The final day of Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT at Taupo opened with a dramatic Qualifying 2 session, as 19 drivers fought for pole position for the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. Damp conditions ensured the outcome remained uncertain until the closing moments. mtec Motorsport’s Ryan Wood entered the session as the benchmark after securing…

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Tim Neff reflects on the first CTFROT win for HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed, learning curve, team growth, and the challenge ahead of Taupo.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Neff and HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed “happier” as Wharton claims CTFROT win in Race 2 at Taupo

Tim Neff celebrated a milestone race at Taupo as HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed claimed its first victory in the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). The new three-car outfit, fielding Trevor LaTourette, Ricardo Baptista, and James Wharton, showed remarkable pace and cohesion just in the second round of the season. Wharton’s triumph…

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Ugo Ugochukwu reflects on exceeding expectations, managing risk and leading the 2026 CTFROT championship after a strong Taupo round.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Ugochukwu thrives on fine margins as 2026 CTFROT momentum builds at Taupo

Ugo Ugochukwu continued to cement his status as the benchmark of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) by offering a composed and insightful assessment of his season so far on Saturday at Taupo. Leading the championship after another productive start to the weekend at Taupo, the M2 Competition driver reflected on how…

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James Wharton reflects on comfort, patience and strategy after a breakthrough Race 2 win at Taupo in the 2026 CTFROT.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Wharton masters Taupo to secure defining 2026 CTFROT Race 2 triumph

HMD Motorsports with TJ Speed’s James Wharton offered a detailed and thoughtful insight into his breakthrough Race 2 victory at Taupo, outlining how comfort, confidence and strategy combined to deliver a defining moment in his 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) campaign. Speaking after the race, Wharton reflected on the progress made since…

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Ryan Wood reflects on pole position, a controlled Race 1 win and single-seater progress during a demanding Taupo weekend in 2026 CTFROT.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Wood builds momentum with pole and Race 1 victory in 2026 CTFROT Round 2 in Taupo

Ryan Wood continued his impressive transition into single-seater racing at Taupo with a weekend that blended raw speed, composure under pressure and growing confidence. At Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), Wood, driving for mtec Motorsport driver delivered a decisive late lap in Qualifying 1 to secure pole position,…

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James Wharton secured his first 2026 CTFROT win at Taupo, mastering a reversed grid Race 2 filled with pressure, penalties and late drama.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

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

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…

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Ryan Wood wins Race 1 at Taupo in 2026 CTFROT Round 2, with Ugochukwu 2nd and Slater completing the podium after an intense battle.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

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

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…

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