The 2026 CTFROT season delivered thrilling racing, with Ugochukwu's consistency and M2 Competition's dominance leading to ultimate glory.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

A review of 2026 CTFROT: Ugochukwu and M2 Motorsport shine in new era of racing

The 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) season proved to be a thrilling spectacle, packed with intense racing, unpredictable weather, and nail-biting championship battles. From the opening round at Hampton Downs to the dramatic finale at Highlands Motorsport Park, each weekend delivered its fair share of surprises, with drivers showcasing not only their…

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Zack Scoular wins the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix as Ugo Ugochukwu claims the 2026 CTFROT title at Highlands.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 4 | Highlands | Race 3 | 70th New Zealand Grand Prix | Scoular wins as Ugochukwu clinches title

After 14 races across four venues, the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) reached its dramatic conclusion at Highlands Motorsport Circuit with the 70th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix. The historic event delivered both prestige and pressure, as Zack Scoular claimed a dominant Grand Prix victory while Ugo Ugochukwu secured the…

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Fast laps and late drama headline Friday practice at Highlands as Wood, Nakamura and Scoular shine ahead of the 2026 CTFROT New Zealand Grand Prix.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Joel Hanks

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 4 | Highlands | Practice | Wood, Nakamura and Scoular star as finale heats up

Fast laps, changing track conditions and a dramatic late crash combined to produce an absorbing Friday at Highlands Motorsport Park, where the final round of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) burst into life with three Free Practice sessions. Across three highly competitive practice sessions, Jin Nakamura, Zack Scoular and Ryan Wood…

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Ugo Ugochukwu dominates a wet, Safety Car-hit Race 2 at Teretonga Park to win in CTFROT 2026 as key title rivals falter.
Photo Credit: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ | Bruce Jenkins

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 3 | Teretonga | Race 2 | Ugochukwu masters wet conditions; Nakamura, Slater and Le suffer blows to title hopes

After rain washed out Saturday’s action, Race 2 of the penultimate round of the 2026 CTFROT finally went green at a sodden Teretonga Park, delivering a tense and incident-filled contest. Despite repeated Safety Car interruptions and constant pressure from behind, championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu controlled proceedings from the front, converting pole position into a vital…

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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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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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