Season three of the NextGen New Zealand Championship promises to be the largest yet, following confirmation of a six-event calendar designed to best showcase Kiwi motorsport this summer.
Twelve different categories will compete across the six rounds, offering something for motorsport fans everywhere.
Free Fridays by Crème Insurance will see the first day of on-track action at each NextGen NZ Championship round open to all at no charge.
Round 4 of the championship at Teretonga Park will see reduced ticket prices for all Southland motorsport fans and access for those under the age of 18 free of charge, thanks to a partnership between the NextGen NZ Championship and ILT.
Meanwhile, tickets purchased for any round of the 2026-2027 championship before 30 September will enter the purchaser into the draw to win a year’s free karting at Highlands, Hampton Downs or Taupo (conditions apply).
Once again, the NextGen NZ Championship will travel the length of New Zealand by featuring two events each at Hampton Downs and Taupo in the North Island and one each at Teretonga and Highlands in the South.
“Season three of the NextGen NZ Championship is locked and loaded and will be spectacular,” said NextGen CEO, Josie Spillane.
“Each event on our 2026/2027 calendar offers something different, and we’re excited to be working with such a great group of professional, exciting and competitive categories who share our vision for the sport and want to help grow it.
“We’ve had a great response from categories, and to be able to lock in such a strong six-round program with every event featuring a great mix of categories is a fantastic sign for motorsport in NZ.
“We continue to aspire and work towards developing the next generation of Kiwi racing talent, while also delivering a great show for fans coming to the circuits and those watching at home.
“Our new partnerships with Crème Insurance and ILT will deliver more access for all fans, especially those in the deep South who are often starved of national-level motorsport.
“We have big plans for Season 3, and we are continuing to build on what we’ve started.”
A key breakdown of major talking points is included below, while further information surrounding additional on- and off-track events, broadcasting details and more will be released closer to the season commencing in November.
INTERNATIONAL STARS OF THE FUTURE
International motorsport returns with the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy set to again run its season across four intense, back-to-back weekends in January.
A brand-new car will debut this summer while new teams join a championship that has already delivered several drivers, including Liam Lawson, Lando Norris and Arvid Lindblad, to the Formula One grid.
The season culminates at Highlands Motorsport Park with the 71st running of the iconic NAPA New Zealand Grand Prix, won this year by New Zealander Zack Scoular.
NAPA 71st NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX
The headline 71st running of New Zealand’s premier race doubles as the championship finale for CTFROT – but that’s not all in store for an enormous weekend of motorsport that includes seven categories on track.
The Tim Miles Memorial Trophy Race will return for a field of wings and slicks open-wheelers at what is shaping to be the biggest event of the summer by far.
To celebrate the history of Formula Holden / Brabham racing, Formula Holden cars will be invited into the combined Atlantics / Open Wheel field at both the Historic GP and NZ Grand Prix events this season.
GILTRAP GROUP HISTORIC GP
One of New Zealand’s premier historic Motorsport events returns to Taupo in January, with the thunder of Formula 5000 making its imposing return to the event in early 2027.
The old-school thundering wings and slicks cars will complement the modern racers of CTFROT, while Formula Atlantic / open wheelers (competing for the Historic GP Trophy), HVRA Historic Saloons (1960-1980) and the Heritage Touring Cars (post 1980) make for a broad look back across the eras of Kiwi racing.
GT STARS AND CARS
A revamped GT New Zealand Championship will feature at four rounds this summer, including a South Island double-header and a headline appearance at the Hampton Downs Grand Finale in February 2027.
ONE MAKE BATTLES
The ultra-competitive Bridgestone GR86 Championship will feature at five of the six NextGen rounds, commencing at Round 1 at Taupo in November.
Meanwhile, the Mazda Racing Super Series features at four events, the NZ Porsche Championship returns with big, diverse fields also set to compete at four NextGen rounds, and the BMW Race Drive Series joins the party at Hampton Downs in January.
V8 MUSCLE
Following a highly successful debut season in 2025/26, the TA2 New Zealand Championship returns bigger and better than ever in 2026/27 and will feature at four key NextGen events – including the NAPA 71st New Zealand Grand Prix.
The series had a stunning debut in season two of the NextGen NZ Championship and is likely to build on that momentum in its new campaign, with new cars and drivers ready to race.
Meanwhile, the remarkably diverse GTR NZ grids will provide variety (and horsepower) and are indeed the spice of life when they feature across three North Island events this summer.
ROUND BY ROUND INFORMATION
NextGen NZ Championship, Season 3
ROUND 1 – NextGen Season Opener
Taupo International Motorsport Park, 13-15 November 2026
The summer commences at the circuit near the lake, with key national championships commencing their seasons in style.
- Bridgestone GR86 Championship
- GT New Zealand Championship
- TA2 NZ Championship
- NZ Porsche Racing Championship
- Mazda Racing Super Series
- GTRNZ 1/2
- GTRNZ 3/4
ROUND 2 – Hampton Downs Allied Petroleum International
Hampton Downs, 8-10 January 2027
The first look at the new stars, new cars and new teams to feature in the huge 2027 CTFROT season.
- Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
- Bridgestone GR86 Championship
- GTRNZ 1/2
- GTRNZ 3/4
- BMW Race Driver NEXEN Tyre E46
- BMW Race Driver Series Open
ROUND 3 – Giltrap Group Taupo Historic GP
Taupo Motorsport Park, 15-17 January 2027
Formula 5000 returns to Taupo and the Historic GP to showcase how New Zealand’s top open-wheel class used to be in the 60s and 70s.
- Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
- MSC Formula 5000
- Historic Formula Atlantics and Formula Racing
- HRVA Historic Saloons (1960 – 1980)
- HVRA Heritage Touring Cars (post 1980)
ROUND 4 – Ascot Park Hotel International
Teretonga Park, 22-24 January 2027
NextGen heads back to the South Island with a massive program at one of New Zealand’s fastest circuits. Our new partnership between the NextGen NZ Championship and ILT will see a reduced ticket process and free access for all under the age of 18 for this key Southland event.
- Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
- Bridgestone GR86 Championship
- GT New Zealand Championship
- TA2 New Zealand Championship
- NZ Porsche Racing Championship
- Mazda Racing Super Series
ROUND 5 – NAPA 71st New Zealand Grand Prix
Highlands Motorsport Park, 29-31 January 2027
The biggest New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands yet, with 7 categories and a huge showdown to claim the CTFROT title and the NZGP Trophy for the 71st time, plus a return of the Tim Miles Memorial in its second year.
- Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy & 71st New Zealand Grand Prix
- Bridgestone GR86 Championship
- GT New Zealand Championship
- TA2 New Zealand Championship
- NZ Porsche Racing Championship
- Mazda Racing Super Series
- Tim Miles Memorial Trophy / Formula Atlantic and Formula Racing
ROUND 6 – Hampton Downs Alliance Services Grand Finale
Hampton Downs (National) 26-28 February 2027
The Grand Finale will see titles decided at Hampton Downs in an appropriate way to end season 3.
- Bridgestone GR86 Championship
- GT New Zealand Championship
- TA2 New Zealand Championship
- NZ Porsche Racing Championship
- Mazda Racing Super Series
- GTRNZ 1/2
- GTRNZ 3/4
Tickets and more information can be found by visiting the NextGen NZ Website at www.nextgennz.co.nz
Header Image: Shots By TayB/Tayler Burke
