Karishma Persad, Author at Motorsport | Pit Debrief

Ryan Wood reflects on pole position, a controlled Race 1 win and single-seater progress during a demanding Taupo weekend in 2026 CTFROT.

Wood builds momentum with pole and Race 1 victory in 2026 CTFROT Round 2 in Taupo

Karishma Persad2 days ago7 hours ago06 mins mins

Ryan Wood continued his impressive transition into single-seater racing at Taupo with a weekend that blended raw speed, composure under pressure and growing confidence. At Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), Wood, driving for mtec Motorsport driver delivered a decisive late lap in Qualifying 1 to secure pole position,…

James Wharton secured his first 2026 CTFROT win at Taupo, mastering a reversed grid Race 2 filled with pressure, penalties and late drama.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 2 | Wharton triumphant after tense race in Taupo

Karishma Persad2 days ago2 days ago05 mins mins

James Wharton delivered a controlled and decisive performance to secure his first victory in Race 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Taupo, mastering a race shaped by a reversed grid, sustained pressure at the front and multiple strategic turning points. Starting from the second row, the HMD Motorsport with…

Ryan Wood wins Race 1 at Taupo in 2026 CTFROT Round 2, with Ugochukwu 2nd and Slater completing the podium after an intense battle.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Race 1 | Wood continues dominant weekend in Taupo with Race 1 win

Karishma Persad2 days ago1 day ago04 mins mins

Ryan Wood delivered a calm and authoritative drive to win Race 1 of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Taupo. The mtec Motorsport driver recovered from a brief loss of the lead at the start to reassert control and steadily pull clear. Behind him, Ugo Ugochukwu converted a…

Ryan Wood snatches late pole at Taupo in Qualifying 1 as Ugochukwu and Scoular close in for Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Qualifying 1 | Wood delivers late lap to claim pole for Race 1

Karishma Persad2 days ago2 days ago04 mins mins

Ryan Wood claimed pole position for the opening race of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT)after a dramatic Qualifying 1 session at Taupo International Motorsport Park. Following an already impressive Friday, the mtec Motorsport driver confirmed his status as the man to beat with a blistering final flying lap…

Ryan Wood tops two Taupo practice sessions as Wharton and Slater close in ahead of Round 2 of the 2026 CTFROT.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Practice | Wood sets the early pace amid mixed conditions and disruptions

Karishma Persad3 days ago2 days ago04 mins mins

Ryan Wood laid down a clear marker ahead of Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) by topping two of Friday’s three practice sessions at Taupo. In doing so, the mtec Motorsport driver underlined his intent to bounce back strongly after his premature exit from the final feature race at…

Jordan Pepper begins his BMW GT3 journey, focusing on adaptation, learning from teammates, and long-term career growth.

Pepper embarks on fresh chapter with BMW in 2026 with eyes on long-term future

Karishma Persad3 days ago2 days ago04 mins mins

Jordan Pepper has urged realism as he begins his BMW factory career, stressing that instant dominance remains unrealistic when switching manufacturers. While speaking to Sportscar365, the South African GT star made clear that adaptation, not expectation, defines his mindset as he steps into the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, noting that “it’s not like you hop…

Kyojo Cup champion Rio Shimono steps up to FR Japan with Dr. Dry while committing to defend her title in 2026.

Kyojo Cup champion Rio Shimono earns FR Japan promotion with Dr. Dry for 2026

Karishma Persad3 days ago3 days ago03 mins mins

Rio Shimono will step up to the Formula Regional (FR) Japanese Championship in 2026, joining Dr. Dry for her first campaign at regional single-seater level. The move follows a commanding title-winning season in the Kyojo Cup, where she established herself as one of the most successful drivers in the series’ history. At 25 years old,…

Argentinian teenager Renzo Barbuy joins TC Racing for its Eurocup-3 debut ahead of the new Dallara 326 era

Renzo Barbuy set for 2026 Eurocup-3 debut with TC Racing

Karishma Persad4 days ago3 days ago03 mins mins

TC Racing has confirmed the signing of Renzo Barbuy as its first driver for the revamped Eurocup-3 Championship, marking a major step for both the team and the young Argentinian prospect. At just 16 years old, Barbuy will take on his first European campaign after progressing from Formula 4 Brazil, one of South America’s toughest…

Mahindra Racing secures a milestone podium with Edoardo Mortara finishing P2 at the Mexico City E-Prix, boosting season momentum.

Mahindra Racing reflects on “near-perfect” Formula E weekend in Mexico City

Karishma Persad4 days ago5 days ago07 mins mins

Mahindra Racing delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Mexico City E-Prix, securing second place in what marked the team’s 150th race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Edoardo Mortara’s podium finish represented the team’s best-ever result at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and provided a major boost early in the 2026 season. The…

Rain-soaked Taupo testing sets the tone for CTFROT 2026 Round 2 as Sharp and David shine, fans rally, and teams prepare for a wet weekend.

CTFROT | 2026 | Round 2 | Taupo | Testing | Sharp and David shine amidst damp conditions

Karishma Persad4 days ago4 days ago03 mins mins

As preparations continued for Round 2 of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), rain and damp conditions quickly became the defining theme of the Collective Test sessions at Taupo. From the outset, persistent showers swept across the 3.3km circuit, ensuring that both sessions unfolded on a wet track. Consequently, outright lap times…