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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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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Ryan Wood snatches late pole at Taupo in Qualifying 1 as Ugochukwu and Scoular close in for Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

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

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…

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Ryan Wood tops two Taupo practice sessions as Wharton and Slater close in ahead of Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

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

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…

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Rain-soaked Taupo testing sets the tone for CTFROT 2026 Round 2 as Sharp and David shine, fans rally, and teams prepare for a wet weekend.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Testing | Sharp and David shine amidst damp conditions

As preparations continued for Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), rain and damp conditions quickly became the defining theme of the Collective Test sessions at Taupo. From the outset, persistent showers swept across the 3.3km circuit, ensuring that both sessions unfolded on a wet track. Consequently, outright lap times…

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Ugo Ugochukwu leads the 2026 CTFROT standings after a dramatic Hampton Downs opener, with M2 Competition topping the teams’ race.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT 2026: Standings after Round 1 | Ugochukwu emerges as early benchmark after Hampton Downs opener

After a dramatic and action-packed opening round of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Hampton Downs, Ugo Ugochukwu leads both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship narratives. Across four races, the M2 Competition driver delivered relentless pace, racecraft and consistency, leaving Round 1 with a commanding points advantage and early momentum in…

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