Formula Racing NZ (FRNZ) welcomes some of the country’s brightest rising stars to the grid for the 2025-26 FRNZ series.
The impressive list of entries for the coming season includes Blake Dowdall, the reigning national formula ford champion, Toby McCormack, the reigning North Island Formula Ford Champion and Campbell Owen, a current front runner in the North Island formula ford series.
What’s more, Hayden Bakkerus returns to the series after competing successfully in the Toyota 86 series.
Their inclusion marks a significant boost for the series, underlining its position as the premier pathway for young Kiwi drivers aiming to make their mark on the international stage.
Blake Dowdall: National FF Champion Steps Up
Eighteen-year-old rising talent Blake Dowdall is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in his racing journey, joining the FRNZ behind the wheel of a Tatuus FT50 – a car often compared to Formula 3 machinery for its speed and precision.
Dowdall, fresh off a standout season in Formula Ford and a highly regarded appearance at Rodin Cars’ Formula Ford to F1 evaluation programme, says the move into FRNZ is about staying sharp while developing the skills that will define the next stage of his career.
“Competing in FRNZ this season is a way of staying sharp here in New Zealand — and getting to drive some absolutely amazing cars for a fraction of what they’d cost anywhere else,” Blake said.
“An FT50 is effectively F3-level performance. You just can’t drive anything that fast, that good to drive, for anywhere near this price – especially not on your own doorstep.”
For Dowdall, the decision to choose the FT50 was a strategic one. With its paddle-shift gearbox, slick tyres, and high-downforce setup, the car mirrors much of the technology and feel of modern GT and open-wheel machinery – a perfect fit for a young driver with international ambitions.
“The FT50 was a bit of a no-brainer,” he explained.
“It uses so many of the same tools I’ll need in whatever I drive next: downforce, slicks, paddle shifts. It’s the best way to keep learning, to stay relevant, and to go for another championship right here at home.”
“Even if this season is purely about keeping sharp and racing the cars that I love on tracks I love, I’d be more than happy with that. The FT50s are amazing cars, and I’m genuinely pumped to get started.”
North Island Champion Joins the Fight
Eighteen-year-old Toby McCormack, the 2025 North Island FF champion, will also line up on the grid alongside Dowdall this coming series in an FT50.
Like Dowdall, this young talent had a standout season in Formula Ford last season. It was also a participant in the highly regarded Rodin Cars’ Formula Ford to F1 evaluation programme.
“The FRNZ series is an amazing opportunity for myself and other young drivers to work on their race craft as they progress through to more wings and slicks racing”, says Toby.
“I see this as an amazing opportunity as I prepare to eventually compete in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy series, building my confidence behind the wheel of a wings and slicks race car”
Toby is no stranger to the ex-TRS cars, having run both an FT40 and FT50 over the last two seasons, winning overall honours on both occasions. The youngster is looking forward to more competition and some close racing this season.
“Winning the SVG trophy would be a huge accomplishment. It would set me up very well to make the step up to the CTFROT championship, knowing that I have the speed and skills to do well at the highest level in New Zealand motorsport”
Hayden Bakkerus Set to Step Into Formula Racing After Toyota 86 Success
After two consistent and rewarding seasons in the Toyota 86 Championship, young driver Hayden Bakkerus will return to formula-style racing as he sets his sights on competing in the Toyota Racing Series.
Bakkerus began his motorsport journey in open-wheel categories, including Formula Vee, Formula Ford, and Formula Open, where he developed a strong foundation in race craft and technical driving.
That experience fostered a lasting appreciation for the speed, precision, and intensity that define formula racing.
“There’s something very pure about it,” Bakkerus said.
“The speed, the responsiveness of the car, and the close competition – it’s a style of racing I’ve always enjoyed.”
In 2022, Bakkerus had the opportunity to take part in the Ferrari Driver Academy program in Sepang, representing New Zealand for the first time at the international training camp. This experience broadened his approach to professional development both on and off the track.
While his recent campaigns in the very tightly contested Toyota 86 series provided valuable experience in race management and consistency under pressure, the shift back to single-seaters reflects his long-term interest in pursuing opportunities within high-performance open-wheel categories.
Bakkerus is currently preparing for the next step in his development and is hopeful that this season with Formula Regional will prepare him for an opportunity to join the grid in the upcoming Toyota Racing Series.
Proven Pathway for Young Talent
The FRNZ series continues to cement its reputation as an ideal next step for drivers coming out of Formula Ford, with modern, entry-level FIA cars, professional levels of support and high-profile events on the calendar.
The series has already produced several talents such as Louis Sharp, Liam Sceats and Seb Manson who have gone on to race internationally.
The 2025 season kicks off in Manfeild on 15 November and includes rounds at Hampton Downs, Highland Motorsport Park and more.
For media enquiries or further information, please contact www.Formularacing.nz
Header Image: Supplied
