TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand has confirmed the six teams that will take the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy into its next, exciting era.
Incumbent teams M2 Competition, mtec Motorsport, Kiwi Motorsport, Hitech GP and TJ Speed Motorsport have all been retained as official teams.
Rodin Motorsport – currently competing successfully in FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), GB3 Championship and F1 Academy – is the new team added to the roster. Rodin Motorsport already has strong pathway links domestically through its involvement with MotorSport New Zealand and the Formula Ford to Formula 1, powered by Rodin Cars programme.
Teams were assessed on a variety of criteria, with most focusing on each team’s ability to enhance the championship’s quality as it enters its new Gen 2 Formula Regional era. Each team will receive a base allocation of three cars, with the opportunity to run a fourth entry if it is allocated to a New Zealand driver – potentially creating a field of up to 22 cars.
Capability of running a successful multi-car team in the championship, the ability to attract top young drivers, geographical location, driver progression opportunities, financial stability and sustainability, operational strength, sporting conduct, alignment with both the TGR brand and global junior formulae landscape were all considered in the assessment process which followed the Teams Tender.
“This was a very significant process as we enter this new era and we set the standards extremely high for all applicants.
“We are disappointed to lose Giles Motorsport as a result of this process, and we thank Stephen Giles and his team for their outstanding contribution over many seasons, including four title-winning campaigns and, most recently, victory in the 2025 New Zealand Grand Prix with Will Brown.
“Several other major teams from the 15 that entered the Tender process will also be disappointed, but we are very confident we have the right group moving forward.
“Selecting Rodin Motorsport means that another New Zealand team is retained, and given that team’s global footprint, driver opportunities to progress into other formulae are significantly enhanced.
“With teams now operating parallel programmes across the USA, Europe and Oceania, the championship’s reach extends far beyond the region into key global markets.”
The final calendar for the inaugural season of the Gen 2 era is set to be confirmed soon, along with a prize package for the champion driver and winner of the Tasman Trophy for the best-placed Australian or New Zealander.
Testing of the new car, which features a lighter, improved version of the engine used successfully since 2020, will begin shortly, with TGRNZ optimistic it will produce even better racing.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
