Formula Open New Zealand (FONZ) has announced that its race series will take a hiatus for the 2025/26 season, with plans to return in 2027.
The historic series, which celebrates the iconic Formula Atlantics and Pacifics that formed New Zealand’s national championship between 1977 and 1993, has been a highlight of the motorsport calendar over the past six seasons.
FONZ was originally created to revive these classic machines, initially supplemented with ex-Toyota Racing Series cars to ensure competitive fields, particularly when only four Formula Atlantic/Pacific cars were available in the North Island.
Over recent seasons, the series has seen remarkable growth, with eleven Formula Atlantic/Pacific cars now competing in the North Island and a further twelve in the South Island. While this growth bodes well for the future, organisers say that managing a seven-round season has become logistically challenging.
Following discussions with drivers, FONZ has decided to restructure the series, limiting each season to three or four rounds, featuring two high-profile meetings in each island. As a result, organising race meetings for 2025/26 is not practical.
Despite the hiatus, Formula Atlantics and Pacifics will continue to feature at several venues, with clubs and circuits expressing interest in hosting the cars. FONZ is actively negotiating dates spaced a week apart in each island.
The series will maintain its class structure, with three cups:
- Graeme Lawrence Cup – for Swift DB4s and post-1988 cars
- David Oxton Cup – for Ralt RT4s and early ground effect cars
- Jim Palmer Cup – for Flat Bottom Atlantics and invitation cars
Organisers say this restructuring is aimed at ensuring the long-term health of the series and providing a sustainable platform for the historic Formula Atlantics and Pacifics to continue thrilling New Zealand motorsport fans.
Header Image: Formula Open NZ
