Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy dates
Words NZ Autocar | Images Toyota
The dates for the new-look 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy have been confirmed today.
The championship will begin over the weekend of January 9-11 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. A week later it heads south for Round 2 at the Taupo International Motorsport Park (January 16-18th). It forms part of the Historic GP weekend at the circuit.
Round 3 moves to the South Island, Teretonga Raceway just outside of Invercargill (January 23-25th).
The final weekend sees the running of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park (January 30-February 1st).
The new look format – with the championship’s regular 15 races being run over four weekends instead of five – was signed off by the FIA’s World Council of Motorsport recently.
Formats for each weekend aren’t yet confirmed but it is likely that the extensive mileage available to drivers taking part in the New Zealand series will remain.
That also means it should retain its global appeal as the best winter training ground for serious northern hemisphere single seater prospects. The 2025 championship winner, Arvid Lindblad, is already a prospect for an F1 seat this season.
From 2026, the FIA will introduce a Regional Trophy concept for all Formula Regional and Formula 4 categories. These new formats provide organisers and promoters to choose a traditional championship format lasting over a longer period. Alternatively, they can concentrate their competitions – under the ‘Trophy’ title – within a shorter timeframe with fewer events. The latter is the framework adopted for New Zealand’s premier single seater championship.
2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
Rd1 9-11 January Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park
Rd2 16-18 January Taupo International Motorsport Park
Rd3 23-25 January Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill
Rd4 30 Jan -1st Feb 70th New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands International Motorsport Park
