A large grid of 21 Formula Ford cars will take to the Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch as a support category for the Supercars Championship round this weekend (17-19 April 2026).
The 2026 Rodin Cars New Zealand Formula Ford Challenge incorporating Legends will see qualifying and four races across the three-day event, which has attracted a strong and competitive field including some of the best drivers in the 2026 NZ Formula Ford Championship, the current leader in the Australian Formula Ford Championship and several returning former champions.
Current NZ Formula Ford champion Marco Manson will be joined by runner-up Seb Eskandari, third-placed Maxim Kirwan and fourth-placed Dylan Petch. Also in the mix are Jake Bryant and Izaak Fletcher.
Leading this season’s Australian Formula Ford Championship, Oli Wickham, crosses the Tasman for the event, as does Lincoln Taylor, who is currently competing in the 2026 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. Taylor competed in the 2025 NZ Formula Ford Championship, standing on the podium several times.
Also making the switch from tin-tops to open wheelers is Arthur Brougham, who has been competing in the GR86 Championship.
While the ‘Challenge’ is open to Class 1 cars for overall honours, the Class 2 and 3 cars will compete for the Legends Trophy, which has attracted a competitive grid.
Previous South Island Formula Ford champion Will Neale makes a return driving the ex-Shane Drake Van Diemen RF92, and will be joined by his father, Andy, also in an RF92.
2018/19 Formula Ford champion Jordan Michels will be on the grid in the ex-Greg Murphy Van Diemen RF87, as will former Class 2 champion Cameron Freeman and Ryan Low.
Rodin Cars has provided all competitors with a subsidised entry fee, along with some fabulous trophies and $2,000 in prize money for the top three overall and Legend (Schedule F-compliant Class 2 and 3 cars using Yokohama Tyres) placings.
Friday sees one practice underway at 10:35am followed by qualifying at 12:55 and Race 1 at 15:45. Saturday has one race at 11:55 with two races on Sunday at 09:05 and 13:30.
Qualifying times will determine starting positions for the opening race, with grids for the remaining three races determined by finishing position in the previous race. All four races are timed at 20 minutes each.
Entry List (#, Driver, Chassis, Class)
- 1 (R), Marco Manson, Spectrum 015, 1
- 2, Arthur Brougham, Mygale SJ08A, 1
- 20 (R), Olivia Lorenzen, Mygale SJ08A, 1
- 26, Dyson Freeman, Van Diemen, 1
- 34(R), Oli Wickham, Mygale SJ08A, 1
- 35, Izaak Fletcher, Ray GR20, 1
- 39, Dylan Petch, Van Dieman Stealth RF93, 1
- 44 (R), Sebastian Eskandary, Mygale SJ08A, 1
- 68 (R), Maxim Kirwan, Spectrum 015, 1
- 77, Jake Bryant, Van Dieman Stealth, 1
- 78, Lincoln Taylor, Mygale SJ08A, 1
- 19, Cameron Freeman, Van Diemen RF92, 2
- 23, Jordan Michels, Van Diemen RF87, 3
- 38, Ryan Low, Van Diemen RF98, 2
- 47, Andy Neale, Van Diemen RF92, 2
- 64, Sam & Matt Christian, Swift FB91, 2
- 83, Thomas Flynn, Swift SC92, 2
- 92, Will Neale, Van Diemen RF92, 2
- 55, Hamish Carpenter, Van Diemen RF86, 3
- 56, Andy Downs, Lola T342, 3
- 59, Ayven Dunn, Van Diemen RF88, 3
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
