This article needs additional citations for verification .(January 2008) |
Category | Open-wheeler racing |
---|---|
Country | Oceania |
Inaugural season | 2005 |
Drivers | 20 (2023) |
Teams | 4 (2023) |
Constructors | Tatuus |
Engine suppliers | Toyota |
Tyre suppliers | Hankook |
Drivers' champion | Roman Bilinski |
Teams' champion | M2 Competition |
Official website | www |
Current season |
The Formula Regional Oceania Championship is New Zealand's premier formula racing category. The series includes races for every major trophy in New Zealand circuit racing including the New Zealand Motor Cup and the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. The cars are also the category for the New Zealand Grand Prix – one of only two races in the world with FIA approval to use the Grand Prix nomenclature outside Formula One. The series was formerly known as the Toyota Racing Series until 2023.
Founded | 2004 |
---|---|
Headquarters | Hampton Downs, Auckland , |
Area served | New Zealand |
Key people | Nico Caillol Sarah Brown |
The Toyota Racing Series is an incubator and showcase for the next generation of New Zealand racing talent. The Series offers emerging drivers the chance to gain valuable experience with carbon-fibre composite chassis, aerodynamics and slick tyres.
The Series has the full endorsement of Motorsport New Zealand, the sport's governing body. Until the beginning of 2017, the series was managed by Toyota Racing Management a company under the leadership of Barrie Thomlinson.
Previously, the country's leading drivers had to go offshore to step up to this level. High-profile graduates from the series to date include Brendon Hartley, formerly in Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, and Earl Bamber. [1] The series has also seen the likes of Daniil Kvyat, Will Stevens, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris compete on their way to Formula One.
For 2008, the series has also gone "green". Fuels for all cars racing in the series are now an E85 biofuel blend of 85 per cent ethanol made from whey, a dairy industry by-product; and petrol. Reduced emissions, reduced carbon "footprint" and reduced use of fossil fuels are all being showcased in this unique New Zealand programme. The 2008 New Zealand Grand Prix thus becomes the first ever biofuel grand prix in the world.
The short summer series (five weekends in five weeks, all in January and February) during the Southern Hemisphere summer has made the series attractive to development drivers from the Northern Hemisphere, as the series takes place during the off-season, serving as single-seater motorsport's equivalent of professional baseball's "winter ball" leagues in the Caribbean and Australia. Drivers from both Europe and the Americas actively participate in the series, as it allows them to develop their skills in an atmosphere similar to the winter ball leagues. A June 2019 FIA World Motor Sport Council decision now allows development drivers to tally Toyota Racing Series with their regular series towards FIA Super Licence points required to be in a Formula One car, meaning the driver can participate in this series, then participate in a series that starts after the end of the Toyota Racing Series, and accumulate points from both series towards F1 approval. [2]
The series was renamed to Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship for the 2023 season, joining the other various Formula Regional series around the world. [3]
The current championship consists of five rounds, each comprising three races.
Number | Circuits | Rounds | Years |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon | 21 [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] | 2005–2021, 2023–present |
2 | Teretonga Park | 17 [lower-alpha 3] | 2005–2020, 2023 |
3 | Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park | 15 | 2006–2013, 2015–2019, 2023–present |
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park | 15 [lower-alpha 4] [lower-alpha 5] | 2010–2021, 2023–present | |
5 | Euromarque Motorsport Park | 11 [lower-alpha 6] | 2005–2006, 2008, 2015–2018, 2024 |
6 | Timaru International Motor Raceway | 10 | 2005–2014 |
7 | Pukekohe Park Raceway | 8 [lower-alpha 7] | 2005–2007, 2009, 2020 |
8 | Highlands Motorsport Park | 5 [lower-alpha 8] | 2014, 2019–2020, 2023–present |
9 | Hamilton Street Circuit | 2 [lower-alpha 9] | 2008–2009 |
The Toyota Racing Series ran a Tatuus FT-50 chassis with modified versions of 1.8L Toyota four cylinder 2ZZ-GE production engines which can produce 200bhp, a six speed Sadev sequential transmission with limited slip differential with a carbon fibre body and a Carbon monocoque chassis built by Tatuus in Italy to full FIA F3 specification. [4] The cars use Michelin S308 tyres (Front 20x54x13, Rear 24x57x13) and weigh approximately 480 kg.
The Toyota Racing Series switched to a new chassis called Tatuus FT-60, identical to the Tatuus F.3 T-318 used in Europe, whereas the new engine 8AR-FTS will be a 2.0L turbocharged unit developing 270bhp. [5] The cars have halo for the protection purposes and it weigh approximately 665 kg with driver. [6]
Source: [7]
Season | Driver | Team | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Fastest laps | Points | Clinched | Margin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Brent Collins | Brent Collins Motorsport | 1 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 937 | Race 18 of 18 | 33 |
2005–06 | Daniel Gaunt | International Motorsport | 5 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 1491 | Race 21 of 23 | 479 |
2006–07 | Daniel Gaunt | International Motorsport | 3 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 1448 | Race 21 of 23 | 328 |
2007–08 | Andy Knight | Knight Motorsport | 6 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 1230 | Race 23 of 23 | 33 |
2008–09 | Mitch Cunningham | Giles Motorsport | 7 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 1110 | Race 17 of 18 | 121 |
2010 | Mitch Evans | Giles Motorsport | 8 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 915 | Race 15 of 15 | 3 |
2011 | Mitch Evans | Giles Motorsport | 6 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 973 | Race 13 of 15 | 168 |
2012 | Nick Cassidy | Giles Motorsport | 0 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 934 | Race 13 of 15 | 176 |
2013 | Nick Cassidy | M2 Competition | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 915 | Race 14 of 15 | 112 |
2014 | Andrew Tang | Neale Motorsport | 1 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 794 | Race 15 of 15 | 4 |
2015 | Lance Stroll | M2 Competition | 0 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 906 | Race 14 of 16 | 108 |
2016 | Lando Norris | M2 Competition | 8 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 924 | Race 14 of 15 | 135 |
2017 | Thomas Randle | Victory Motor Racing | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 855 | Race 15 of 15 | 5 |
2018 | Robert Shwartzman | M2 Competition | 3 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 916 | Race 15 of 15 | 5 |
2019 | Liam Lawson | M2 Competition | 4 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 356 | Race 15 of 15 | 10 |
2020 | Igor Fraga | M2 Competition | 3 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 362 | Race 15 of 15 | 6 |
2021 | Matthew Payne | M2 Competition | 6 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 287 | Race 8 of 9 | 58 |
2022 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||||
2023 | Charlie Wurz | M2 Competition | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 343 | Race 15 of 15 | 14 |
2024 | Roman Bilinski | M2 Competition | 5 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 385 | Race 14 of 15 | 43 |
Wins | Driver | Years |
---|---|---|
2 | Daniel Gaunt | 2005–06, 2006–07 |
Mitch Evans | 2010, 2011 | |
Nick Cassidy | 2012, 2013 |
Wins | Team | Years |
---|---|---|
9 | M2 Competition | 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 |
4 | Giles Motorsport | 2008–09, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
2 | International Motorsport | 2005–06, 2006–07 |
1 | Brent Collins Motorsport | 2005 |
Knight Motorsport | 2007–08 | |
Neale Motorsport | 2014 | |
Victory Motor Racing | 2017 |
Wins | Country | Drivers | Years |
---|---|---|---|
11 | New Zealand | Brent Collins | 2005 |
Daniel Gaunt | 2005–06, 2006–07 | ||
Andy Knight | 2007–08 | ||
Mitch Cunningham | 2008–09 | ||
Mitch Evans | 2010, 2011 | ||
Nick Cassidy | 2012, 2013 | ||
Liam Lawson | 2019 | ||
Matthew Payne | 2021 | ||
1 | Singapore | Andrew Tang | 2014 |
Canada | Lance Stroll | 2015 | |
United Kingdom | Lando Norris | 2016 | |
Australia | Thomas Randle | 2017 | |
Russia | Robert Shwartzman | 2018 | |
Brazil | Igor Fraga | 2020 | |
Austria | Charlie Wurz | 2023 | |
Poland | Roman Bilinski | 2024 |
The winner of the feature race of each round in the championship is awarded a trophy:
The overall winner of the championship (based on championship points) receives the Chris Amon Trophy [8]
Formula racing is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single-seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulae are Formula One, Formula E, Formula Two, Formula Three, regional Formula Three and Formula Four. Common usage of "formula racing" encompasses other single-seater series, including the IndyCar Series and the Super Formula Championship.
Euromarque Motorsport Park is a permanent motor racing circuit owned and operated by the Canterbury Car Club Inc on land leased from the Christchurch City Council. It is located at 107 Hasketts Road in Templeton, 13-kilometre (8.1 mi) west of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was opened as Ruapana Park in 1963, and between 2004 and 2013 was known as Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park. Mike Pero joined the circuit as title sponsor from 2013–2023, as Mike Pero Motorsport Park. In the early parts of February 2023, the sponsorship deal was over, and Euromarque became the new title sponsor.
Teretonga is a 2.570 km (1.597 mi) motor racing circuit situated 8 km (5.0 mi) south-west of Invercargill, New Zealand. It is home of the Southland Sports Car Club. The circuit was established in 1957 and is the southernmost FIA-recognised race track in the world. It is also the country's oldest purpose-built venue.
The New Zealand Grand Prix, sometimes known as the New Zealand International Grand Prix, is an annual motor racing event held in New Zealand. First held in 1950, it is best known for hosting rounds of the Tasman Series in the 1960s and 1970s. It is currently run as the signature race of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
The Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand's premier "open-wheeler" motorsport category. The series includes races for every major trophy in New Zealand circuit racing including the New Zealand Motor Cup and the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. The cars are also the category for the New Zealand Grand Prix - one of only two races in the world with FIA approval to use the Grand Prix nomenclature outside Formula One.
The 2008–09 Toyota Racing Series was the fifth running of the Toyota Racing Series. The Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand's premier open-wheeler motorsport category. The Series includes races for every major trophy in New Zealand circuit racing including the New Zealand Motor Cup and the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. The cars are also the category for the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix, which was held as the third race of the Manfeild Autocourse round, – one of only two races in the world with FIA approval to use the Grand Prix nomenclature outside Formula One.
The 2010 Toyota Racing Series was the sixth running of the Toyota Racing Series. The Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand's premier open-wheeler motorsport category. The Series included races for every major trophy in New Zealand circuit racing including the New Zealand Motor Cup and the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. The cars were also the category for the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix, which was held as the third race of the Manfeild Autocourse round.
The 2007–08 Toyota Racing Series was the fourth running of the Toyota Racing Series. The Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand's premier open-wheeler motorsport category. The Series includes races for every major trophy in New Zealand circuit racing including the New Zealand Motor Cup and the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy. The cars are also the category for the 2008 New Zealand Grand Prix, which was held as the third race of the Manfeild Autocourse round, - one of only two races in the world with FIA approval to use the Grand Prix nomenclature outside Formula One.
Tatuus is an Italian chassis manufacturer for a series of formula racing series, being first founded in 1980. The company is known for its association with Renault Sport for its production of the Formula Renault chassis.
The 2011 Toyota Racing Series was the seventh running of the Toyota Racing Series. The Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand's premier open-wheeler motorsport category.
The F4 British Championship is a single-seater motorsport series based in the United Kingdom. The series is run to the FIA's Formula 4 regulations, and is administered by Motorsport UK. The championship is designed as a low-cost entrance to car racing, and is aimed at young racing drivers moving up from karting.
The SMP F4 Championship was a racing series regulated according to FIA Formula 4 regulations. It was based in the FIA's North European Zone and the Netherlands, and was only open to drivers from these countries. The inaugural season was the 2015 SMP F4 Championship.
Formula 4 Australian Championship Certified by FIA is an upcoming Australian motor racing series for open-wheel cars complying with FIA Formula 4 regulations. The inaugural championship, known as the CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship, was organised from 2015 to 2019.
James Munro is a New Zealand former racing driver. Munro won championships in junior formulae such as Formula Ford and Formula Pilota China. James is the son of Mark Munro, a former Toyota Racing Series racing driver.
The 2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series was the seventeenth running of the Toyota Racing Series, the premier open-wheel motorsport category held in New Zealand. The series consisted of nine races at three meetings. It began on 24 January at Hampton Downs, in Waikato, and concluded on 14 February at Manfeild, Feilding. The season opener also hosted the 66th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix. The 2021 Toyota Racing Series was the first season in which no individual race teams were running and all drivers were under a Toyota Racing banner. This was due to the COVID situation.
Kaleb Ngatoa, is a New Zealand Māori motor racing driver.
The 2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship was the inaugural season of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. It was originally planned to be the eighteenth running of the Toyota Racing Series, the premier open-wheel motorsport category held in New Zealand, before the series was rebranded to become a fully FIA-certified Formula Regional championship. It was held over five consecutive weekends in January and February 2023.
The 2023 New Zealand Grand Prix event for open wheel racing cars was held at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in northern Waikato on 5 February 2023. It was the sixty-seventh New Zealand Grand Prix and utilised Formula Regional cars. The event also served as the third race of the fourth round of the 2023 Formula Regional Oceania Championship. This marked the Grand Prix's return after the 2022 iteration was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was the first to feature international drivers since 2020.
The 2024 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship was the second season of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, and the nineteenth running of the premier open-wheel motorsport category formerly known as the Toyota Racing Series, held in New Zealand. It was held over five consecutive weekends in January and February 2024.
The 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship is scheduled to be the third season of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, and the twentieth running of the premier open-wheel motorsport category formerly known as the Toyota Racing Series, held in New Zealand. It will be held over five consecutive weekends in January and February 2024.