Aussie win alert: James Wharton takes victory in FR Oceania at Taupo
James Wharton won the second race of the Toyota FR Oceania Series at Taupo, opening his account for 2026.
WAIKATO, New Zealand–James Wharton took the first victory for new team TJ Speed with HMD Motorsports in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series at Taupo.
The Australian began the reverse-top-eight grid from the second row but fought his way past polesitter Kanato Le by lap seven to stake his claim on the race lead, something he would not relinquish by the chequered flag.
"We have a good car and it feels very good to get our first win," said Wharton.
"It’s been a tough couple of weeks so far, but we are finally where we should be I think. We have work to do though, and we’ll focus on tomorrow now and try to make sure we are fast again."
Wharton launched into second within the first two corners, chasing down Le in the lead and followed by Ernesto Rivera and Zack Scoular, who was soon relegated to fourth by Louis Sharp.
The Aussie was using the 'push to pass' system to narrow the gap to the leader, and when Le's pace dropped by lap seven, Wharton was in position to capitalise and make his pass for the lead.
Rivera was next to pass Le, as was Ugochukwu, who had been making his way through the field and was now up to third, with the chasing pair now going wheel-to-wheel for several laps for second.
A lock up for Le on lap 15 sent him tumbling down the order, with Louis Sharp, Freddie Slater, and Ryan Wood all promoted, with Slater and Wood swapping positions in the dying laps as his pace dropped off.
The order at the flag was Wharton (with a healthy lead), Rivera, Ugochukwu, with the Aussie taking a first victory for 2026 for both himself and his team.
