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3d ago

Scoular Wins New Zealand GP as Ugochukwu Seals Formula Regional Oceania Crown

Stewards’ rulings over ride height and suspension infringements reshaped the Highlands finale, underscoring how season-long consistency settled the championship.

Ryan Wood during Formula Regional Oceania Trophy practice at Highlands Motorsport Park ahead of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix.
Ugo Ugochukwu celebrates winning a Formula Regional Oceania Trophy race at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Ugo Ugochukwu won Saturday's CTFROT race at Highlands. Image: Joel Hanks
Kanato Le leads the Formula Regional Oceania field through the bus stop chicane during Race 2 at Highlands Motorsport Park. Image: John Cowpland

Overview

  • Zack Scoular delivered MTEC Motorsport its first New Zealand Grand Prix win, jumping pole-sitter Jin Nakamura at the start before a red flag and late Safety Car neutralised the finish.
  • Ugo Ugochukwu’s ninth place secured the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy by 15 points over Freddie Slater after four wins and consistent podium form through the season.
  • Ryan Wood withdrew his appeal over a ride-height breach, accepted a Q3-only penalty and started seventh for the Grand Prix, and he had already locked up Rookie of the Year.
  • Ugochukwu was dropped to 13th on the GP grid for a suspension fitment infringement in qualifying, while Hitech GP’s Jin Nakamura claimed pole by 0.1 seconds.
  • The weekend’s support races went to Ugochukwu on Saturday, Kanato Le in the reverse-grid race before the GP, and Slater in Friday’s rescheduled Teretonga event that had tightened the title fight.