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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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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