Trophy dates released
Dates for the new-look 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy have been confirmed.
The format – with the championship’s regular 15 races being run over four weekends instead of five – has been signed off by the FIA’s World Council of Motorsport.
It will begin over the weekend of January 9-11 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and a week later heads south to Taupo International Motorsport Park as part of the Historic GP weekend at the circuit.
Round three will be at Teretonga Raceway just outside Invercargill from January 23-25, and the final weekend – at the 70th NZ Grand Prix meeting – to be staged for the third successive year at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell from January 30 to February 1.
Formats for each weekend are set to be confirmed, but it is likely that the extensive mileage available to drivers taking part in the New Zealand series will remain.
This will allow it to retain its global appeal as the winter training ground for serious northern hemisphere single-seater prospects. For example, 2025 championship winner Arvid Lindblad is already being touted for a seat this season in Formula One.
From 2026, FIA will introduce a regional trophy concept for all Formula Regional and F4 categories.
These new formats provide organisers with flexibility to choose between a traditional format lasting over a longer period or concentrating their competitions – under the “trophy” title – in a shorter timeframe with fewer events. This is the framework adopted for New Zealand’s premier single-seater series.
