The Formula Junior Platinum Jubilee World Tour is an international series of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Formula Junior racing in 2026. While the tour has a global scope, including the US and other regional events, the 2026 New Zealand leg will host the opening rounds.
With the confirmed entry now of twelve International Formula Junior cars from the UK, Italy, USA and Australia already on their way and arriving in the country in the next few weeks, the anticipation of watching three consecutive meetings only in the South Island this coming February promises to be something special.
The 12 international entries, many of whom compete regularly in British and European championships or series, include British drivers Geoff Underwood, the winner of the recent Copenhagen Grand Prix, driving a Brabham BT2, and the vastly experienced Ray Mallock in his Mallock U2.
Intense competition is eagerly anticipated, with a strong New Zealand entry, resulting in full grids and close, exciting racing.
Twice New Zealand Sports car Champion, Noel Woodford, will be driving his refreshed Gemini Mk3A. In a welcome return to New Zealand, Australian resident Grant Walker will be driving a Lotus 18 FJ, owned by NZ’s Jim Richards.
Grant Walker raced Formula Fords in the 1970s, winning the 1975 NZ Championship in the Brambles NZ Freighters team Elfin Superford. In 1977, driving a Titan, he was runner-up in the then Driver to Europe Series. He also ran the ex Paul Fahey Cologne Capri before moving to Australia.
International entrants:
- ITALY: Andrea Guarino – Elva 100
- USA: Robert Hoemke – Lola Mk 5A
- AUSTRALIA: Marty Bullock – Wren F3
UK:
- Charles Cook – Nike FJ
- Robin Longdon – Lola Mk 5A
- Graham Barron – Gemini Mk2
- Tony Lees – Lola Mk 5A
- Richard Bishop-Miller – Caravelle Mk 2
- Geoff Underwood – Brabham BT2
- Ray Mallock Mallock – U2 Mk2
- Adrian Russell – Lotus 22
- David Smith – Lenham MG Midget
NEW ZEALAND (Final entries to be confirmed):
- Peter Benbrook – Gemini Mk2
- Mike Sexton – Gemini Mk2 or Stanguellini
- Roger Herrick – Lola Mk 2
- Nigel Russell – FMZ
- Gary Langsford – Elva 100
- Paul Halford – Autosud
- Noel Woodford – Gemini Mk 3A
- Phil Foulkes – Lotus 20/22
- Mark Barrett – Lotus 22
- John Rapley – Brabham BT2
- Keith Pfieffer – Talisman
- Peter White – Gemini Mk 3
- Kevin Anderson – Cooper T51
- Grant Clearwater – Cooper T59
- Grant Walker – Lotus 18
NZ Invitation entries:
- Tony Olissoff – Brabham BT 21
- Vern Williamson – Oakley Mk 6
- Peter Boel – Elfin F3
- Matt Adams – Brabham BT9
The first meeting for this impressive field of deceptively fast 60-year-old open wheelers will be at Euromarque Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, followed in subsequent weekends by the Southern Classic at the Levels circuit near Timaru, with the final event being the Ascot Park Hotel Speedfest at Teretonga Park, Invercargill.
Race Dates:
- Skope Ruapuna Christchurch: February 6/7/8
- Southern Classic Levels Timaru: February 13/14/15
- Speedfest Teretonga Invercargill: February 20/21/22
Header Image: Supplied
