Another piece of the inaugural Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship has fallen into place with confirmation that Kiwi up-and-comer Liam Sceats will contest for M2 Competition.
Sceats has been a leader in Formula Ford racing in New Zealand over the past couple of seasons. He currently leads the North Island Formula Ford 2022/23 season and was third overall in the 2022 New Zealand FF1600 title race with four wins and five podiums.
The Aucklander was one of three drivers from around New Zealand chosen to compete in the Tony Quinn Foundation Shootout at Hampton Downs last month to compete for a massive $70,000 cheque towards their 2023 campaign.
That prize went to Callum Hedge, although Sceats and Billy Frazer both gave him a run for his money and were both unlucky to miss out.
Since that Shootout, the Toyota Racing Series received massive recognition from the FIA and was upgraded to Formula Regional Oceania, a classification which offers an increased amount of Super License points for the top nine competitors.
Sceats will have familiar faces alongside him in the tournament, old racing foes James Penrose, Breanna Morris and Hedge all well established youths in the New Zealand motorsport scene.
Throw in competitors from Europe, Australia and United States and we’re set for an extremely tight competition
Sceats is relishing the opportunity to race on a big stage on his home tracks.
“I’m genuinely super excited to be racing with M2 Competition in the highly competitive Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Championship for 2023,” he says. ” I cannot thank my supporters enough who have helped make this dream opportunity into a reality.”
A professional approach to pre-season preparation should stand Liam in good stead according to M2 Competition boss Mark Pilcher.
“It’s great to see the next wave of young kiwi drivers progressing to Formula Regional Oceania,” he said. “Liam has put in a lot of effort into his prep which has gone very well and it will be interesting to see how he goes over the course of a race weekend.
“This championship has been the launch pad for countless young drivers and Liam now has his chance to gain experience and show what he can do.”
The 2023 season kicks off at Highlands Motorsport Park in just 15 days.
2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship Calendar
| Date: | Track: |
| 13-15 January | Highlands Motorsport Park |
| 20-22 January | Teretonga Park Raceway |
| 27-29 January | Manfield – Circuit Chris Amon |
| 3-5 February | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park |
| 10-12 February | Taupo International Motorsport Park |
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
