New Zealand racer Toby McCormack is targeting podium finishes and a place on the grid for the Macau Grand Prix as he prepares for his first campaign in the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) with Rodin Motorsport.
He is the first driver confirmed for the 2027 season, which will introduce second-generation Formula Regional machinery across four of New Zealand’s most iconic circuits.
The season will begin at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in January before heading to Taupo International Motorsport Park for the second round. The series will then travel south to Teretonga Park before concluding at Highlands Motorsport Park alongside the New Zealand Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Aucklander may not yet be a familiar name internationally, but McCormack has built an impressive record in New Zealand’s domestic single-seater scene.
He spent three seasons competing in Formula First before moving into Formula Ford, where a further three years of experience included the North Island Formula Ford title and third place in the national FF1600 Championship.
McCormack has also gained experience in New Zealand’s Formula Open series, competing in older-generation Toyota FT40 and FT50 machinery.
That experience produced three class titles and three overall championships, while also giving McCormack valuable experience in wings-and-slicks machinery at the circuits he will face in Formula Regional Oceania.
McCormack aiming for the Trans-Tasman Cup
His focus for 2027, however, extends beyond simply competing at the front of the field.
“I am aiming to achieve podiums and am specifically focussing on the Trans-Tasman Cup which of course is limited to Australian and New Zealand drivers,” he explained.
“The top driver there will be the second driver after the overall champion to secure a place in the works GAZOO Racing NZ team for the Macau Grand Prix and I am fully focussed on being that driver.
“Beyond that my long term goal is to be a professional racing driver representing New Zealand on the world stage.”
He has already raced at each of the circuits on the 2027 calendar, giving him an important foundation ahead of his step into the second-generation Formula Regional car.
McCormack’s 2027 CTFROT campaign with Rodin will begin at Hampton Downs before the championship moves to Taupo, Teretonga and Highlands, with the New Zealand Grand Prix bringing the season to a close.
Building on the relationship with Rodin Motorsport
Rodin Motorsport already has an established relationship with McCormack after working with the driver during the 2026 season.
The team provided him with a Formula Ford wildcard opportunity last year, including a test at Rodin Cars in New Zealand, and will now support his progression into Formula Regional machinery.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with Toby following his Formula Ford wildcard opportunity last year, which saw him test at Rodin Cars in New Zealand,” explained Rodin Motorsport Managing Director Emma Duncan.
“We were impressed with Toby throughout that programme, so supporting him with a CTFROT seat is a natural next step in his development.”
The 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy will once again headline New Zealand’s Repco NextGen NZ Motorsport Championship series.
The move to second-generation Formula Regional machinery also marks another step in Toyota and GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s support of the FIA single-seater pyramid, providing a progression from FIA-certified Formula 4 into Formula Regional and towards FIA Formula 3 and the higher levels of single-seater competition.
For McCormack, the immediate target is clear: challenge for podiums, win the Trans-Tasman Cup and put himself in contention for the Macau opportunity.
