The opening rounds of the Formula Junior Platinum Jubilee World Tour are set to take place over the month of February 2026 in New Zealand. The international series of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Formula Junior racing in 202 has a global scope including US and other regional events.
With the confirmed entry now of twelve International Formula Junior cars from the UK, Italy, USA and Australia already on their way and arriving in the country in the next few weeks, the anticipation of watching three consecutive meetings only in the South Island this coming February, promises to be something special.
The 12 international entries, many of whom compete regularly in British and European championships or series, includes British drivers Geoff Underwood, the winner of the recent Copenhagen Grand Prix, driving a Brabham BT2, and the vastly experienced Ray Mallock in his Mallock U2.
Intense competition is eagerly anticipated as there will also be a strong New Zealand entry resulting in full grids to provide close and exciting racing. Twice New Zealand Sports car Champion, Noel Woodford, will be driving his refreshed Gemini Mk3A, and in a welcome return to New Zealand, Australian resident Grant Walker will be driving a Lotus 18 FJ, owned by NZ’s Jim Richards.
Grant Walker raced Formula Fords in the 1970’s winning the 1975 NZ Championship in the Brambles NZ Freighters team Elfin Superford whilst in 1977 driving a Titan, he was runner up in the then Driver to Europe Series. He also ran the ex-Paul Fahey Cologne Capri before moving to Australia.
International entrants are:
ITALY Andrea Guarino Elva 100
USA Robert Hoemke Lola Mk 5A
AUSTRALIA Marty Bullock Wren F3
UK
Charles Cook Nike FJ
Robin Longdon Lola Mk 5A
Graham Barron Gemini Mk2
Tony Lees Lola Mk 5A
Richard Bishop-Miller Caravelle Mk 2
Geoff Underwood Brabham BT2
Ray Mallock Mallock U2 Mk2
Adrian Russell Lotus 22
David Smith Lenham MG Midget
NEW ZEALAND (Final entries to be confirmed)
Peter Benbrook Gemini Mk2
Mike Sexton Gemini Mk2 or Stanguellini
Roger Herrick Lola Mk 2
Nigel Russell FMZ
Gary Langsford Elva 100
Paul Halford Autosud
Noel Woodford Gemini Mk 3A
Phil Foulkes Lotus 20/22
Mark Barrett Lotus 22
John Rapley Brabham BT2
Keith Pfieffer Talisman
Peter White Gemini Mk 3
Kevin Anderson Cooper T51
Grant Clearwater Cooper T59
Grant Walker Lotus 18
NZ Invitation entries:
Tony Olissoff Brabham BT 21
Vern Williamson Oakley Mk 6
Peter Boel Elfin F3
Matt Adams Brabham BT9
The first meeting for this impressive field of deceptively fast 60-year-old open wheelers will be at the SKOPE Classic at the Euromarque Motorsport Park Ruapuna, followed in subsequent weekends by the Southern Classic at the Levels circuit near Timaru with the final event being the Ascot Park Hotel Speedfest at Teretonga Park Invercargill.
NZ Race Dates are:
6-8 Feb 2026 – SKOPE Classic, Euromarque Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, Christchurch
13-15 Feb 2026 – Southern Classic, Timaru International Raceway, Levels, Timaru
20-22 – Ascot Park Hotel Speedfest, Teretonga Park, Invercargill
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