Motorsport
Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand were at Teretonga Park in Invercargill last week testing their next generation Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy car – the GRF-70.
The new car will be seen in the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy which takes in four rounds around New Zealand in January, including Teretonga Park over the weekend of 22-24 January.
The new car is based on the FIA Formula Regional Gen 2 T 326 Tatuus chassis, as used in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), and will be powered by an evolution of the proven 2.0 litre turbocharged 8AR FTS engine used in the New Zealand series since 2020.
All of the previous generations of the Toyota-powered single seaters used since 2005 have been provided by Lainate, Italy-based manufacturer Tatuus and this continues with the sleek new GRF-70.
A full grid of 22 cars is expected when the series visits in January as part of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship for the Ascot Park Hotel International.
Considering there are five drivers on this year's F1 grid – 2025 World Champion Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto and Lance Stroll who have raced at Teretonga Park in the past in this category there is a good chance we will be watching another F1 star, or stars, of the future over the weekend of 22-24 January.
Already confirmed for the 2027 series are Aucklander Toby McCormack, AJ Foyt Racing Development driver Aidan Schuh, Reza Seewooruthun of the UK, Arjen Kraling of Germany and the 2022 Brazilian F4 Champion Pedro Clerot with plenty more driver announcements to come.
The series will be part of the Ascot Park Hotel International, a round of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship. Prior to the January event the Southland Sports Car Club host a big weekend of racing on 5/6 December with a huge line of motor racing classes.
About the Repco NextGen NZ Championship Repco NextGen NZ Championship is Motorsport New Zealand’s Premier Race Championship. It is focused on celebrating talent, developing drivers, captivating fans and being sustainable, successful and surprising.
The championship is headlined by the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, Bridgestone GR86 Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, SP Tools TA2 New Zealand Championship, NZ Porsche Racing Championship, Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series, GTRNZ, BMW Race Driver Series, MSC Formula 5000, Historic Formula Atlantics & Formula Racing, HVRA Historic Saloons (1960-1980) & HVRA - Heritage Touring Cars (post 1980).
The third season of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship will span six spectacular events from November 2026 through February 2027.
After the opener at Taupo International Motorsport Park, the championship commences a four-event swing in January that includes back-to-back rounds at Hampton Downs, Taupo, Teretonga (Invercargill) and the 71st running of the NAPA New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park. The finale will be held at Hampton Downs in February.
For more information head to www.nextgennz.co.nz http://www.nextgennz.co.nz/
Lindsay Beer
Publicity Officer
Southland Sports Car Club
021 351 499
Photograph: The next generation Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy car with Andrew Waite at the wheel testing at Teretonga Park last week in preparation for the Ascot Park Hotel International in January, part of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship (no credit required).
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