Dates for the new-look 2026 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy have been confirmed today.
The new look format – with the championship’s regular 15 races being run over four weekends instead of five – was signed off by the FIA’s World Council of Motorsport recently.
The championship trail will begin over the weekend of January 9-11 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and, a week later, heads further south for Round 2 at the Taupo International Motorsport Park on January 16-18 as part of the Historic GP weekend at the circuit.
The first two rounds in New Zealand’s North Island will then be followed by two rounds in the South Island, with Round 3 at Teretonga Raceway just outside of Invercargill January 23-25 and the final weekend the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix meeting, to be staged for the third successive year at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell over the weekend of January 30-February 1st.
Formats for each weekend are set to be confirmed, but it is likely that the extensive mileage available to drivers taking part in the New Zealand series will remain, therefore allowing it to retain its global appeal as the best winter training ground for serious northern hemisphere single seater prospects. 2025 championship winner Arvid Lindblad is already being touted for a seat this season in Formula One.
From 2026, the FIA will introduce a Regional Trophy concept for all Formula Regional and Formula 4 categories. These new formats provide organisers and promoters with unprecedented flexibility to choose between a traditional championship format lasting over a longer period or concentrating their competitions – under the ‘Trophy’ title – within a shorter timeframe with fewer events. This is the framework adopted for New Zealand’s premier single-seater championship.
2026 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
- Round 1: 9-11 January – Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park
- Round 2: 6-18 January – Taupo International Motorsport Park
- Round 3: 23-25 January – Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill
- Round 4: 30 January-1st February – 70th New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands International Motorsport Park
Header Image: Jessica Barnes / Blissful Photography
