Two surprises over the weekend with the 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship getting underway in Taupo. Both were served up by Kiwi drivers while it was no surprise to see Red Bull Junior Program driver Arvid Lindblad in the results and leading the series heading to Hampton Downs this weekend for the second of five consecutive rounds.
Dubai based Kiwi driver Zack Scoular surprised the grid with his speed, first putting his car on pole in qualifying for Race 1. He went on to win the opening race and now finds himself third overall on the leader board.
Scoular’s results in the 2024 GB4 Championship in the UK could be described as ordinary – one podium and 15th overall. Even before that he seemed of average ability in the F4 UAE Championship with no wins or podiums and finishing 17th ovearll.

This time out he has certainly turned heads and already proved he is a worthy winner of the 2024 Tony Quinn Foundation Shootout which secured $70,000 in financial support for the series. He was one of three finalist, the other two being Sebastian Manson and Alex Crombie. Both the latter are also competing in the series, neither looking like they will step onto the podium.
The second surprise was Alex Crosbie who sits a disappointing 13th overall on the points table. The Southlander is in his second full Toyota FR Oceania season, having finished fifth overall in 2024. This was followed by a season competing in the F4 US Championship where he finished fourth overall, including two wins, six podiums, two pole positions and five fastest laps.

By his own admission, Crosbie admits to struggling at Taupo, particularly with tyres and the balance of the car. He knows what is required and has the experience, so it won’t be a surprise to see him make some major improvements to his race results. A key to his success last season was consistency and finishing every race.
It’s only the first round and by the fifth and final round, the NZ Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park, it’s likely to be an entirely different picture.
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