Rodin Motorsport has expanded its global presence in junior motorsport with the announcement of a team entry in the New Zealand-based Castrol Toyota Regional Oceania Trophy championship.
The team intends to run a four-car entry for the 2027 series beginning in January, the first time the New Zealand-owned team has raced a series at home.
“This championship has long been recognised as one of the world’s premier driver development platforms, and its position within the global Formula Regional framework makes it a natural fit for Rodin Motorsport,” said Emma Duncan, Managing Director of Rodin Cars and Rodin Motorsport.
“Our ambition is to bring the full strength of the Rodin organisation to New Zealand, combining the resources and expertise of Rodin Cars and Rodin Motorsport to create a world-class environment for emerging racing drivers.
“As a New Zealand-owned organisation, we are particularly proud to support the development of local talent while also attracting some of the world’s most promising young drivers to compete in New Zealand.”
With programmes currently competing in FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, Formula Regional European Championship, GB3, British F4, F1 Academy and British GT, Rodin Motorsport is uniquely positioned to provide drivers with a genuine pathway through the international motorsport ladder.
Adding the New Zealand-based series to their racing portfolio will provide aspiring drivers from Australasia with the opportunity to experience international competition close to home, with at least one of Rodin’s four-car CTFROT seats earmarked for a New Zealand driver.
Teams in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing series must run a minimum of three cars and may enter a fourth car only if the driver is a New Zealander.
Rodin Cars and Rodin Motorsport founder David Dicker is delighted to join the five other teams that will field the all-new Gen 2 Formula Regional cars in New Zealand, which were introduced to the European regional championship, FREC, earlier this year.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this important motorsport championship and would like to thank TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand for placing their trust in Rodin Motorsport. We hope to add value to the series through our experience, professionalism, and commitment to developing talented young drivers,” said Dicker.
The new CTFROT car will be the fourth-generation single-seater to be used in the category’s 20-year history and will use the same new Tatuus T-326 chassis introduced in FREC, a championship in which Rodin Motorsport also made its debut this year.
“CTFROT has a long history of attracting some of the most promising young talent, and with Rodin’s roots in New Zealand, this programme is a natural fit for us,” said Benn Huntingford, Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director.
“We are looking forward to the challenge,” he added.
It’s expected that Rodin Motorsport personnel from their UK base will join with some of Rodin Cars’ Kiwi-based staff over the four consecutive weekends of competition, which concludes with the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix.
“Entering CTFROT aligns with everything we’re trying to achieve in terms of open-wheel racing,” added Duncan.
“Driver development, engineer and mechanic development; it all builds into our already existing ties in the international field and provides another progression and expansion for the team.”
Rodin Motorsport already has strong pathway links domestically through its involvement with MotorSport New Zealand and the ‘Formula Ford to Formula 1, powered by Rodin Cars’ programme.
Header Image: Supplied
