As the grid for the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) takes shape, mtec Motorsport has confirmed that New Zealand’s Ryan Wood will compete in the four-round international championship. Backed by the Tony Quinn Foundation, Wood will add another exciting chapter to his already impressive career.
A familiar face on New Zealand circuits
Wood has long been a familiar face on New Zealand’s motorsport scene. He built a solid foundation through karting and the Toyota 86 Championship, where he developed key racing skills that propelled him into higher levels of competition. These early experiences in local racing were crucial in shaping Wood into the driver he is today.
Following his success in New Zealand, Wood decided to move across the Tasman to Australia. There, he achieved significant success racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup and Super 2 V8 categories, which led to his current place in Supercars, where he has quickly become one of the series’ rising stars. Despite his success, Wood has always kept his ambition to compete in New Zealand’s premier single-seater championship in sight, and now that goal is becoming a reality.
“Honestly, I am super-excited to make my open wheel racing debut, for me it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do and especially with Toyota and in CTFROT,” Wood shared.
An ambitious challenge awaits
The 2026 CTFROT will be a challenging series for Wood, with him set to race against some of the brightest young talents in motorsport. Competing alongside such accomplished drivers will push Wood to rise to the occasion, especially as the competition promises to be fierce.
In addition to this intense field of drivers, the 2026 season will feature the iconic New Zealand Grand Prix, an event with official FIA Grand Prix status, placing it on par with only one other non-F1 event—Macau. For Wood, this is a major milestone and something he has been eagerly anticipating.
“I’ve watched the championship since I was in karts so to be doing it now and on home soil is very exciting,” he added. The opportunity to face fierce competition motivates Wood, who is eager to make his mark in the series.
Full circle moment with Toyota
One of the most significant aspects of Wood’s 2026 campaign is his long-standing connection with Toyota. This relationship goes back to his early days in motorsport, where he first began racing in the Toyota 86 Championship. Therefore, returning to Toyota for this series represents a powerful full-circle moment in his career.
“For me the four weeks of racing is all about learning and preparing for the 2026 season. I’m delighted to join mtec and learn off my team mates and develop as a driver. It’s a real full circle moment racing Toyotas in NZ again after starting in 86s so I can’t wait to get into it!” said Wood, reflecting on his early days in the Toyota 86 Championship.
Wood’s return to Toyota is not just nostalgic—it’s a strategic decision. The four-round CTFROT provides him with the perfect opportunity to hone his driving skills while preparing for the challenges ahead, including his ambitions in Supercars. Racing with mtec Motorsport, a team well known for developing young talent, will allow him to gain invaluable experience and further enhance his growth as a driver.
A key season for developmet and growth
Ryan Wood’s entry into the 2026 CTFROT signals the start of an exciting new chapter in his career. This championship will offer Wood the ideal platform to showcase his talent in open-wheel racing, an area where he has been eager to prove himself for some time. As he prepares for the upcoming season, his excitement is palpable. Fans can expect to see a determined driver who is ready to make his mark in both single-seater racing and Supercars.
By competing in the CTFROT, Wood will have the chance to push himself to new heights, both in terms of his skills and his career development. His main goal for the 2026 season will be to learn as much as possible, gain valuable experience, and lay the foundation for future success.
