It’s all about the 68th New Zealand Grand Prix this weekend and the first ever time it is being held at Cromwell’s Highlands Motorsport Park. It is also the fifth and final round of the 2024 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
While Poland’s Roman Bilinski still holds the championship lead he isn’t across the finish line just yet, with just 56-points separating the top two heading into the last round. Can second placed Kiwi Liam Sceats close the gap? Will third placed Kiwi Kaleb Ngatoa hold onto his position from a fast-charging Canadian Patrick Woods-Toth?
Sceats will have confidence heading into the round that Bilinski can be beaten. Fresh from leading from lights to flag to record a famous victory in the Lady Wigram Trophy race on Sunday in Christchurch, Sceats recorded his first ever win in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
“Credit to Roman for a great drive as he never left my gearbox the entire 25-lap race and kept me on my toes,” commented Sceats. “Although, I felt very confident in myself and with the Tony Quinn Foundation supported car M2 Competition gave me so never felt pressured into over driving or making a mistake.”
A race of pressure from championship leader Roman Bilinski could not stop the young Kiwi star taking the big win at the Euromarque Motorsport Park. It was arguably the biggest win of his career and his name now joins many of motor racing’s royalty on the Canterbury Car Club’s iconic trophy.
“I was confident the win would eventually come,” said Sceats. “I remember looking at the trophy before the weekend and seeing the names on the trophy. I cannot describe how it feels knowing my name will be on there too.
“This is a special moment for my family, team, supporters and I. We have been so incredibly close a couple of times already this season so it feels good to finally win especially a notable one like this. “
“My eyes are now fully focused on the New Zealand GP this weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park. In no way am I satisfied so will continue to be pushing hard for more silverware and a strong end to the championship.”
Now it is all about the big prize and the CTFROC final race for 2024 where the next name will join those attached to the New Zealand Grand Prix winners list.
One of only two officially sanctioned Grand Prix events outside Formula One, the New Zealand event dates back to 1950. Previous winners include Sir Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Sir Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Keke Rosberg, Ken Smith, Liam Lawson, Shane van Gisbergen and most recently Netherlands Laurens van Hoepen.
Overall Points Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (Top 10)
1/ Roman Bilinski 320
2/ Liam Sceats 264
3/ Kaleb Ngatoa 205
4/ Patrick Woods-Toth 203
5/ Michael Shin 185
6/ Alex Crosbie 176
7/ Gerrard Xie 174
8/ Tommy Smith 144
9/ Christian Mansell 135
10/ Nicola Lacorte 130
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