Having been a partner of the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship for several seasons, TQF will expand its support to additional classes, including GT New Zealand, TA2 NZ, and the Mazda Racing Super Series.
The expansion comes following the decision from Formula Ford to partner with New Zealand-based global junior formula squad Rodin Motorsport.
TQF’s Development Driver Fund will be open to drivers aged 20 and under, competing in the eligible categories for four or more rounds of the NextGen NZ Championship.
The expanded support comes in addition to TQF’s existing funding for the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) and the GR86 Championship.
“We are genuinely delighted that Rodin is stepping up its support of Formula Ford,” said Josie Spillane, a trustee for TQF.
“It is a category that absolutely deserves strong backing, and we know that increased investment at this level will make a real difference.
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“Formula Ford has always been, and continues to be, a critical stepping stone for the young men and women who dream of building a career in motorsport.
“At TQF, our purpose has never been about supporting structures – it has always been about supporting people.
“The unexpected decision by the National Formula Ford Championship committee to decline $70,000 in sponsorship for their drivers has given us cause to reflect, and what we’ve concluded is that there is an even bigger opportunity to make a difference.
“There is exceptional talent coming through across the development categories in the Repco NextGen NZ Championship, and with a strong championship series, the time feels right to extend our support to more Kiwi drivers.
“We want to make sure that our support reaches the drivers directly. We want to make sure that the young racers working so hard to compete have a place to turn, and that our support reaches them directly.
“That is what TQF was founded to do, and that is exactly what we intend to keep doing.”
Rodin Motorsport and the New Zealand Formula Ford Association recently launched a three-year partnership, providing competitors a pathway into a global driver development program.
Under the “Formula Ford to F1” program, the New Zealand Formula Ford champion and a second driver of Rodin’s choosing are invited to the team’s Mt Lyford facility for an evaluation.
The drivers may then be selected to attend Rodin’s British Formula 4 evaluation program.
Reigning champion Marco Manson and runner-up Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi were recently invited to the F4 test in August.
New Zealand Formula Ford Championship convenor Shane Drake noted the significance of the partnership.
“This is about creating opportunity. Formula Ford has always been New Zealand’s premier driver development category, but opportunities to progress internationally have become increasingly difficult and expensive to secure,” said Drake.
“Rodin has created a pathway that gives our young drivers direct access to a world-class international motorsport organisation.
“Financial support is important, but the real value lies in the opportunity offered to our competitors.
“It is a genuine pathway from New Zealand Formula Ford into Rodin Motorsport’s Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2 programmes.”
Rodin currently competes in several junior formulae categories globally, including Formula 1 Academy, the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship, and several series across Europe.
The team is set to enter CTFROT from next season, joining the category following the team tender process.
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