Aussie Taylor Starts 2026 Close To Home

Australian Jack Taylor is aiming to continue his rapid rise through the junior formulae by beginning 2026 competing in New Zealand’s premier single seater championship.

Taylor - 17 - from Launceston in Tasmania - was a star performer in the 2025 GB4 championship in Britain this past year, scoring two wins, two pole positions, four podiums and three fastest laps during an impressive season.

He will begin an important 2026 motorsport year competing for Giles Motorsport in the four-round Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy and is looking forward to competing closer to home.

“After two years of racing in the UK in GB4, this will be my first time in New Zealand and my closest campaign to home yet so I’m obviously really looking forward to it,” he said.

“CTFROT has a strong reputation and it was a much better option for me than doing winter testing in Europe.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and to see what I can do and I also have to thank my sponsors – particularly Megapoxy and European Stone Masons – for making it possible. It’s going to be an awesome experience racing in NZ and working with Giles Motorsport.”

There has been unprecedented interest in the championship since it was reduced to four rounds to avoid clashes with northern hemisphere testing. Two more teams will also join the action from 2026 bringing the team total to six.

Taylor’s debut NZ racing season will include the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix, the highest profile single seater race in NZ and along with the Macau GP one of only two events outside of F1 with official FIA governing body ‘Grand Prix’ recognition.

Fans will be able to follow the championship easily. Qualifying will be livestreamed on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s YouTube channel. Races will also be on that channel and on SkySport domestically in New Zealand. Races will also be streamed live on the Motorsport.TV platform.

2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy

Rd1 - 9-11 January - Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park

Rd2 - 16-18 January - Taupo International Motorsport Park

Rd3 - 23-25 January - Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill

Rd4 - 30 Jan -1st Feb - 70th New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands International Motorsport Park

About the Repco NextGen NZ Championship

Season two of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship comprises six incredible events showcasing the best of international and local motorsport throughout the summer.

The season includes back-to-back rounds at Hampton Downs, Taupo, Teretonga (Invercargill) and the 70th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park, now sponsored by NAPA. The season finale will be held at Manfeild, near Palmerston, in early March.

The championship is headlined by the return of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand and the TA2 New Zealand Championship.

A special two-round historic Formula Atlantic showcase will be a highlight, along with the Porsche NZ Championship, GTRNZ, NAPA Central Muscle Cars, the NAPA Auto Parts NZ Formula Ford Championship and the NEXEN Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series.

© Scoop Media