Louis Sharp reflects on qualifying struggles, wind challenges and race mistakes after securing a hard-fought 2026 CTFROT podium at Highlands.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Sharp battles through challenges to secure 2026 CTFROT podium at Highlands

Louis Sharp closed Saturday at Highlands Motorsport Park with a valuable third-place finish in Race 1 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). The result capped a demanding day that tested both driver and team, yet ultimately rewarded persistence and composure during the opening race of the final weekend. With limited overtaking…

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Ugo Ugochukwu reigned victorious at Highlands Motorsport Park for Race 1 of CTFROT 2026. Full report and results here.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 4 | Highlands | Race 1 | Ugochukwu claims victory and extends title lead

Ugo Ugochukwu claimed victory in Race 1 at Highlands Motorsport Park for CTFROT 2026. After moving ahead of Nakamura off the line, he lead the race from then onwards to extend his championship lead by 29 points. Jin Nakamura lined up on the front row alongside championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu, while New Zealanders Louis Sharp…

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CTFROT 2026: Freddie Slater wins a chaotic, rain-hit Race 4 at Teretonga as late drama drops Ugo Ugochukwu out.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 3 | Teretonga | Race 4 | Slater claims the Spirit of a Nation Cup after Ugochukwu falters

After a weekend dominated by wet conditions, Race 4 of Round 3 of the 2026 CTFROT finally began at Teretonga Park in marginally drier weather. Crucially, this allowed drivers to use push-to-pass for the first time all weekend. However, mixed conditions, multiple interruptions, and late drama ensured the Spirit of a Nation Cup delivered yet…

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Jin Nakamura tops crucial final practice at Teretonga as rain threat looms ahead of qualifying in Round 3 of the 2026 CTFROT.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 3 | Teretonga | Practice | Nakamura tops crucial final practice as rain looms

Jin Nakamura set the benchmark when it mattered most at Teretonga Park, as teams prepared for the third round of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). With rain threatening Invercargill and potentially disrupting Saturday qualifying, organisers allowed teams to treat the final session as a de facto grid-setter for Race 1. As…

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M2 Competition's Ugo Ugochukwu tops Teretonga testing as CTFROT 2026 heads into Round 3 with title rivals closing in.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 3 | Teretonga | Testing | Ugochukwu on form as Teretonga Testing opens penultimate round

Championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu hit the ground running as the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) field arrived at Teretonga Park in Invercargill. Two collective test sessions on Thursday marked the build-up to Round 3, and the American immediately underlined why he remains the man to beat. Despite the circuit’s short lap –…

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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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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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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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Push-to-pass reshapes race strategy at Hampton Downs as drivers react to its debut during the opening round of CTFROT 2026.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

Push-to-pass debut transforms race strategy in CTFROT 2026

The opening round of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CRFROT) introduced a fundamental change in how drivers approach racing in the championship. With the debut of the push-to-pass system, competitors gained access to a limited-use 25-horsepower boost designed to improve overtaking and inject greater strategic depth into each race. Combined with an…

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Ugo Ugochukwu claimed his second race victory at Hampton Downs in Round 1, winning the Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup for CTFROT 2026 Race 4.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 1 | Hampton Downs | Race 4 | Ugochukwu claims the Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup after a stellar Sunday

After securing pole position in the earlier Qualifying 2 session on Sunday, Ugo Ugochukwu lined up on the front row alongside Jin Nakamura for Race 4 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Hampton Downs. New Zealander Louis Sharp occupied the second row, with Kanato Le starting alongside him. Jack Taylor…

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