New Zealand’s premier motorsport championship has revealed a four-round calendar that takes it to some of the world’s most challenging and unique race tracks.
The compact calendar – stretching over four weeks and four intense race weekends – will give up to 22 drivers approximately 3,500km of practice, qualifying and race mileage culminating in the New Zealand Grand Prix.
New Zealand’s North Island plays host to the first rounds. Round one will be held on the full international circuit of the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park over the weekend of January 8-10 at the Hampton Downs International meeting, with round two at the Taupo Historic Grand Prix event at the Taupo International Motorsport Park the following weekend.
The teams then head to the South Island for the second half of the season. Round three sees them take on the unique challenges of Invercargill’s historic Teretonga Raceway at the Teretonga Park International before the big final weekend, the 71st NAPA New Zealand Grand Prix at another uniquely challenging – and uniquely scenic track – Highlands Motorsport Park.
The Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy will run all four of those rounds within official MotorSport NZ-appointed promoter NextGen’s calendar of events.
Now in its third year, the NextGen NZ season brings together the best of New Zealand’s championships and has successfully put premier-level motorsport back on the radar of both a domestic and international audience.
The four circuits provide an unrivalled blend of challenges and a high degree of technical difficulty. That means success in the Formula Regional Oceania region is increasingly recognised as a world-class achievement.
Set to enter its 22nd season, the championship has a global reputation as a key development platform for emerging driver talent. Its unique timing allows drivers to race during the Northern Hemisphere off-season – before they arrive better prepared and fully race-sharp for major international campaigns in the best junior formula categories worldwide.
Nine drivers from 2026 are competing this year in FIA F3, and the NZ roll of honour includes F1 world champion Lando Norris and winners at Le Mans, in GT, Formula E, Supercars and multiple other top championships.
“The Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy represents everything TOYOTA GAZOO Racing stands for – performance, development of people, development of technology and a platform where everyone involved on and off the track can push their limits and explore their potential,” explained TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol.
“We are very proud of that and in NextGen having a partner as equally determined as we are to succeed. NextGen has re-energised domestic motorsport over the past few years, and we look forward to what should be an outstanding first season working alongside them with our new Gen 2 car.
“2027 is a major year for us from grassroots to global pathways, and this calendar embodies TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s mission: to develop ever-better cars, ever-better drivers, and ever-better motorsport.”
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
