New Zealand Grand Prix to be a one-off as 2022 TRS season cancelled

The Toyota Racing Series will not take place in 2022, with the New Zealand Grand Prix to be held as a one-off event.

The 67th New Zealand Grand Prix will be a one-off event. (Bruce Jenkins)

Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand had planned a four-round championship, to feature international drivers, but the worsening COVID outbreak in New Zealand has made that impossible.

Organisers had applied for entrants to enter NZ's mandatory quarantine system, which was denied.

"Ongoing COVID disruption has affected our ability to be able to bring in international drivers," said General Manager Andrew Davis.

"It’s a shame that despite TRS being a key junior formulae championship in world motorsport with international recognition and even more interest than normal during this pandemic period, we once again have to focus only on a domestic event."

The 67th New Zealand Grand Prix will take place at Hampton Downs on February 11-13.

"We remain fully committed to making the opportunity we have a successful one for the young kiwi drivers with our goal of finding New Zealand’s next world champion at the heart of our efforts," said Davis. 

 "Unfortunately, due to the number of local drivers we have, we’re unable to run a New Zealand only championship."

"This format will still give us the opportunity to showcase New Zealand based talent first and foremost in 2022."

Toyota Racing is developing a self-isolation proposal for international drivers to enter the Grand Prix, but Davis admits that it may not come into place until next year.

“It’s more likely to be a protocol for the 2023 championship and beyond when we hope and are confident that we will be much closer to a normal Castrol TRS season with the best young drivers from abroad taking on our young Kiwi talent."