2024 FR Oceania Championship Season to Kick Off in New Zealand This Weekend
CHARLOTTE (January 19, 2024) – Five stars from Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) and Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) will embark on their journey “down under” this weekend while racing in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship (FR Oceania).
With last year’s FR Americas Champion, Callum Hedge, and Vice Champion, Ryan Shehan, both starting the 2023 season competing in the FR Oceania Championship, it’s no surprise that drivers are once again looking to get a jump on the competition and keep their skills sharp in New Zealand. The five-round championship features 15 races stretched across five back-to-back weekends.
Representing the FR Americas and F4 U.S. paddocks will be 2023 F4 U.S. Champion Patrick Woods-Toth and 2023 F4 U.S. Vice Champion Titus Sherlock, who will once again race as teammates under the Kiwi Motorsport banner. They’ll be joined by another F4 U.S. teammate, Jett Bowling. Jake Bonilla, fresh off his run in the FR Americas season finale at Circuit of The Americas, will complete the lineup for the Kiwi Motorsport team. F4 U.S. fans will also recognize alum Landan Matriano Lim, who will represent Giles Motorsport on the grid.
“Driver development is a big focus for us in FR Americas and F4 U.S., and nothing makes me happier than seeing the drivers that came through our series go on to find success,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for F4 U.S. and FR Americas. “We have a good relationship with the team at FR Oceania Championship—we actually hosted their race director and chief steward during our season finale at Circuit of The Americas in November. Seat time is so important at this stage of a driver’s development, and FR Oceania provides an excellent opportunity for drivers to stay active and sharp during a time of the year when there aren’t many racing opportunities available in the United States. I know our graduates are all in good hands racing in FR Oceania and I can’t wait to see what they’re able to accomplish over the next five weeks.”
With the first practice session complete for the opening round at Taupo International Motorsport Park, Woods-Toth was second quick, just 0.224-seconds off the leader. Other FR Americas & F4 U.S. graduates inside the top 10 included Sherlock in fourth and Matriano Lim in ninth.
Qualifying and Race 1 will both take place on Saturday, with a live stream available on Motorsport.tv.
