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Kaleb Ngatoa ready to take on the world’s top young racers

Kaleb Ngatoa and Liam Sceats are gearing up to mount full-time challenges on the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC) in 2024, with the first round taking place this weekend during the Super Sprint event at Taupō Motorsport Park .

Kaleb Ngatoa and Liam Sceats are gearing up to mount full-time challenges on the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC) in 2024, with the first round taking place this weekend during the Super Sprint event at Taupō Motorsport Park . One of six global Formula Regional Championships, the CTFROC has been the launching pad for some of New Zealand’s most successful drivers, including Brendon Hartley, Liam Lawson, and Shane van Gisbergen.

The CTFROC’s compact calendar during the European off-season also means that it’s attractive to international drivers, with a quarter of the 2023 Formula One grid having competed in the series.

This won’t be either drivers first time competing in the series, with Ngatoa having contested 9 rounds in the 2021 season and a successful one-off appearance at the 2023 New Zealand Grand Prix where he took a race win, and Sceats taking part in the 2023 season.

This experience, combined with successes in other series, will put the kiwi hopefuls in a strong starting position to kick off their championship hunts.

“I know i’m going to enjoy this championship. It’s going to be tough but I enjoy good competition and hard racing, pressure is a privilege and I’m grateful to have the opportunity. I’m very focused on building on my win and pace last season. I’m already working hard and close with the team to get this campaign going.” said Ngatoa.

Ngatoa’s 2024 programme will be run by Giles Motorsport, with team principal Stephen Giles confident in Kaleb’s ability to contest the title.

“Last year with very limited mileage, Kaleb came straight into the Championship and showed his talent by winning his first race with us against a very competitive field and we’ll be looking to build on that relationship for a chance at winning the title,” he explained.

Sceats won the Tony Quinn Foundation shootout and received a significant contribution to his 2024 title challenge from it. 

“A lot of preparation has gone in over the last few months to get to this point, whether it be sponsorship, car, helmet, suit design, and physical and mental training." Sceats said when talking to Velocity News.

“I am confident that it will all pay off for not only me but also my family, sponsors, team and supporters."

If either driver wins the series, they’ll be the first Kiwi to do it since it became an FIA junior category.