Despite a mixed weekend of results on paper at Highlands, Liam Sceats announced himself as a contender in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship with his maiden podium in Race 3.
Third place was well deserved for the 17-year-old who showed pace all weekend, beginning with Friday’s practice sessions where he never placed lower than fifth.
This transferred over to race weekend where the current North Island Formula Ford points leader placed fifth in Race 1 followed by his Race 3 podium.
Compounding matters, however, was an early setback into his 2023 campaign, a Race 2 DNF putting him out of the points.
Still, seventh in the championship after the first round compliments the ability of the youngster, especially as he hasn’t driven that track, or the next, before.
“The first two rounds at Highlands and Teretonga are tracks where I’ve never raced before,” he said speaking to Velocity News.
“I’m really looking to bank some decent points that will keep me in the fight of the championship down here, but when the championship moves to the North Island to really start pushing for wins and podiums.”
Sceats has long established himself in the North Island Formula Ford scene and currently leads the 2022/23 title battle. However, with Formula Regional Oceania now beginning he says his Formula Ford duties will take a step back.
“Formula Regional is the sole focus this year,” he said. “I did two seasons in Formula Ford which have helped immensely with my preparation for this championship, but in order to give myself the best chance at getting good results in this highly competitive championship I need to prioritise the CTFROC.”
All going to plan, a development season in Formula Regional will see the Kiwi join a strong New Zealand contingent in the US.
“I have no previous experience of racing in these sort of cars so I am aiming to learn as much as possible amongst such a professional environment,” he stated.
“I would love to carry these learnings and skills forward to further ventures which is hopefully the USA as this is where I would like my next step to be, competing on the Road to Indy program.”
If Round 1 results are anything to go off, Sceats will be one to watch this weekend in his Teretonga debut. From there, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in his return to his familiar North Island hunting ground.
Round 2 of the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship begins today with practice sessions, followed by a race on Saturday and two on Sunday.
2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship Schedule:
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Highlands Motorsport Park | 13 to 15 January, 2023 |
| 2 | Teretonga Park Raceway | 20 to 22 January, 2023 |
| 3 | Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon | 27 to 29 January, 2023 |
| 4 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | 3 to 5 February, 2023 |
| 5 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | 10 to 12 February, 2023 |
2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship Points after 1 of 5 rounds:
| Position | Driver | Country | Points |
| 1 | Charlie Wurz | Austria | 76 |
| 2 | David Morales | USA | 74 |
| 3 | Jacob Abel | USA | 58 |
| 4 | Ryder Quinn | Australia | 58 |
| 5 | Callum Hedge | NZ | 54 |
| 6 | James Penrose | NZ | 52 |
| 7 | Liam Sceats | NZ | 49 |
| 8 | Chloe Chambers | USA | 45 |
| 9 | Josh Mason | UK | 31 |
| 10 | Tom McLennan | Australia | 30 |
| 11 | Lucas Fecury | Brazil | 29 |
| 12 | Ryan Shehan | USA | 26 |
| 13 | Bree Morris | NZ | 23 |
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins Photography
