• Login
  • Register
Speedcafe.com
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • SUPERCARS
  • F1
  • MOTOGP
  • NASCAR
  • INDYCAR
  • GT & ENDURANCE
  • KARTING
  • RALLY
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • Feed
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Photos
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
Speedcafe.com
  • Supercars
  • F1
  • NASCAR
  • IndyCar
  • GT & Endurance
  • Karting
  • Bikes
  • Rally
Home Circuit New Zealand

First test offers Formula Regional Oceania form guide

Formula Regional Oceania Trophy drivers got their first taste of track action at Hampton Downs on Thursday ahead of the season-opener.

Simon Chapman
Simon Chapman
8 Jan 2026
Simon Chapman
//
8 Jan 2026
// New Zealand
A A
0
First test offers Formula Regional Oceania form guide
Louis Sharp at Hampton Downs during Formula Regional Oceania testing. Image: Joel Hanks

The unofficial test gave the 19 competitors a chance to familiarise themselves with their car and team before the first official practice day.

On Thursday morning, the field was split in half for their first on-track outing. Ugo Ugochukwu topped the first session for M2 Competition with a 1:30.799s.

Louis Sharp was quickest in the second split session for MTEC Motorsports, topping the timesheets with a 1:30.475s. The best was still to come, however.

Sharp improved in the first all-in test, setting a Thursday-best 1:30.067s ahead of Hitech TGR driver Jin Nakamura, who was just 0.043s adrift in second.

Ugochukwu was third for M2, Ryan Wood fourth for MTEC, and Freddie Slater fifth in another M2 car.

Advertisements

Nakamura improved the benchmark in the second test, clocking a 1:30.127s ahead of Red Bull junior Fionn McLaughlin out of the Hitech camp – followed by Wood, Kanato Le, and Sharp.

It was a nice bounce back for McLaughlin, who completed just three laps in the first all-in test after going off the road.

First through 18th was covered by 1.636s, while HMD Motorsports/TJ Speed driver Trevor LaTourrette struggled for speed at more than four seconds adrift.

Australia’s leading interest, James Wharton, was eighth in the first session and 10th in the second session. Compatriot Jack Taylor was 16th and 17th across the two hit-outs.

WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera made a steady start. The Hitech driver was 15th in the first session, 1.314s off the pace. He backed that up with 13th in the second session, 1.134s away.

Formula Regional Oceania Trophy drivers will get three 30-minute practice sessions on Friday before qualifying and racing begins on Saturday.

Results: Formula Regional Oceania Trophy Hampton Downs, Test 1

Pos Num Driver Lap Diff Laps Best Lap
1 11 Louis Sharp 01:30.067 17 7
2 12 Jin Nakamura 01:30.110 0.043 13 8
3 4 Ugo Ugochuwku 01:30.257 0.190 14 13
4 40 Ryan Wood 01:30.312 0.245 17 8
5 27 Freddie Slater 01:30.537 0.470 12 9
6 3 Zack Scoular 01:30.572 0.505 17 10
7 19 Kanato Le 01:30.614 0.547 13 6
8 13 James Wharton 01:30.731 0.664 13 6
9 22 Sebastian Manson 01:30.936 0.869 16 10
10 24 Ernesto Rivera 01:30.997 0.910 14 12
11 33 Fionn McLaughlin 01:30.981 0.914 3 3
12 21 Yevan David 01:31.031 0.964 13 6
13 5 Yuanpu Cui 01:31.125 1.058 16 7
14 52 Nolan Allaer 01:31.198 1.131 15 7
15 69 Kalle Rovanpera 01:31.381 1.314 9 9
16 50 Jack Taylor 01:31.888 1.821 15 15
17 41 Ricardo Baptista 01:31.895 1.828 11 8
18 14 Cooper Shipman 01:31.992 1.925 15 12
19 8 Trevor LaTourrette 01:34.228 4.161 13 12

Results: Formula Regional Oceania Trophy Hampton Downs, Test 2

Pos Num Driver Lap Diff Laps Best Lap
1 12 Jin Nakamura 01:30.127 14 13
2 33 Fionn McLaughlin 01:30.465 0.338 16 15
3 40 Ryan Wood 01:30.535 0.408 15 14
4 19 Kanato Le 01:30.641 0.514 15 13
5 11 Louis Sharp 01:30.674 0.547 15 13
6 4 Ugo Ugochuwku 01:30.725 0.598 15 11
7 27 Freddie Slater 01:30.777 0.650 16 6
8 24 Ernesto Rivera 01:30.799 0.672 15 8
9 3 Zack Scoular 01:30.845 0.718 14 6
10 13 James Wharton 01:30.855 0.728 13 13
11 52 Nolan Allaer 01:31.220 1.093 14 14
12 5 Yuanpu Cui 01:31.255 1.128 16 13
13 69 Kalle Rovanpera 01:31.261 1.134 12 6
14 21 Yevan David 01:31.326 1.199 11 10
15 14 Cooper Shipman 01:31.340 1.213 14 13
16 22 Sebastian Manson 01:31.367 1.240 15 9
17 50 Jack Taylor 01:31.612 1.485 16 9
18 41 Ricardo Baptista 01:31.763 1.636 15 15
19 8 Trevor LaTourrette 01:34.218 4.091 13 4


Tags: formula regional oceania championship
Speedcafe Network 100 - logo representing the directory of leading suppliers to the motorsport industry in Australia

List your business today!

Wahlstrom Financial Services logo featuring three gold crowns above bold blue text.

Wahlstrom Financial Services

Finance & Insurance

WFS is passionate about the life-changing value of professional advice in helping individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Financial advice at WFS goes beyond the numbers. It is educational, inspirational, and designed to empower...

WFS is passionate about the life-changing value of professional advice in helping individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Financial advice at WFS goes beyond...

Discussion about this post

[postcode_search_form]

Latest from Torquecafe

Hyundai killing its ute to build a bigger pickup – report

30 January 2026

NSW Police recruits new Chinese cars

30 January 2026

Latest Podcasts

PODCAST: Crompton, Skaife out – Our say on TV shake-up

30 January 2026

PODCAST: Grassroots Racing #76 with Mark Crutcher

08 January 2026

Related Articles

Kalle Rovanpera during the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy weekend at Teretonga.

Rovanpera forced out of Friday Formula Regional Oceania race

New Zealand
26 minutes ago
New Zealand
0
Ryan Wood races in the wet at Teretonga.

Friday race added to New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands

New Zealand
1 day ago
New Zealand
0
ADVERTISEMENT

Platinum Partners

Latest & Trending News

Kalle Rovanpera during the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy weekend at Teretonga.

Rovanpera forced out of Friday Formula Regional Oceania race

New Zealand
30 January 2026
New Zealand
0
Will Brown locks a right-front at Turn 1 on his outlap. Image: YouTube

Lap times from Feeney, Brown Red Bull F1 test revealed

Supercars
30 January 2026
Supercars
0
Ryan Wood during Formula Regional Oceania Trophy practice at Highlands Motorsport Park ahead of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix.

LIVE: 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park

Live Streams
30 January 2026
Live Streams
0
Wall Racing's Lamborghini Huracan GT3.

Factory Lamborghini star joins Bathurst 12 Hour fan favourites

Bathurst 12 Hour
30 January 2026
Bathurst 12 Hour
0
Neil Crompton with Chaz Mostert. Image: Richard Gresham

Supercars champ Mostert joins ‘Save Crompton’ campaign

Supercars
30 January 2026
Supercars
0
Liam Lawson on track during the Barcelona shakedown. Image: Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson delivers verdict on ‘completely new’ F1 cars

F1
30 January 2026
F1
0

Supercheap Auto

Pirtek Poll

POLL: Who will be Supercars’ next first-time race winner?

Vote View Results Past polls
Pirtek Poll
View past polls
2025 Supercars Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Chaz Mostert
Mobil 1 Optus Racing
25 4 1 5306
2
Will Brown
Red Bull Ampol Racing
1 2 1 5244
3
Broc Feeney
Red Bull Ampol Racing
88 14 19 5240
4
Kai Allen
Penrite Racing
26 0 0 5233
5
Matthew Payne
Penrite Racing
19 5 1 4461
2025 Formula 1 Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Lando Norris (GBR)
McLaren
4 7 7 423
2
Max Verstappen (NED)
Red Bull
1 7 7 421
3
Oscar Piastri (AUS)
McLaren
81 7 6 410
4
George Russell (GBR)
Mercedes
63 2 2 319
5
Charles Leclerc (MON)
Ferrari
16 0 1 242
ADVERTISEMENT
[instagram-feed feed=2]
Support the partners that support Speedcafe
Truck Assist R & J Batteries Pirtek Mobil Super Supercheap Auto Michelin Meguiars coates KTM FORD ACDelco parcelprotect become a partner
AASA PPQ Authentic Collectables sportsnetholidays nuevasolutions bathurst
Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.
Speedcafe.com has been established to provide a daily motorsport news service to the industry and fans in Australia and internationally.
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

ACDELCO

Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily newsletter, the best way to get your news first, fast and free!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Your daily racing fix - Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily and breaking newsletter for all the latest news delivered direct to your box

SUBSCRIBE
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

XPEL

ACDELCO

Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.

Copyright © 2026 Speedcafe.com. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Our Team /  Advertise with us / Comments Policy / Privacy Policy /

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

[mailpoet_form id=”28″]