Chloe Chambers makes history with FR Oceania victory
American Chloe Chambers has made history with her victory in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series.
Chloe Chambers celebrates her victory in Taupo. (Bruce Jenkins / Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)
Chambers started on pole for the reverse-grid race and led lights-to-flag, becoming the first woman to win in the 18-year history of the Toyota-backed series as well as the first in any FIA Formula Regional series.
Chambers used a set of new scrubbed tyres to make the most of her starting position, taking the chequered flag 1.5 seconds ahead of Kaleb Ngatoa.
“It feels really good and it’s also my first win in cars as well, so it feels great after everything this season,” said Chambers.
“At the beginning Kaleb was hanging with me and I know he tried a couple of times to get past but I just kept cool, kept putting in the laps and was able to do that all the way through the race and just build a little bit of a gap towards the end."
“It’s an important moment for my own confidence."
"I’m going into the 2023 season with great confidence and to have my first win behind me is a great thing.”
Chloe Chambers leads the Formula Regional Oceania field into turn one. (Bruce Jenkins / Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)
Behind the battle for the lead, all eyes were on the fight between challengers Charlie Wurz and Callum Hedge for the championship lead.
Wurz was up to third off the line, while rival Hedge fell to eighth after a poor start.
The Austrian held off the charge from Ryan Shehan, on new tyres, to claim third at the line.
The podium took his three point deficit into a three point lead of the championship with just one race remaining.
The two rivals are now the only drivers left in the title fight, with Wurz on pole for the Taupo feature race this afternoon.
2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania - Taupo Race 3
Chloe Chambers
Kaleb Ngatoa (NZ)
Charlie Wurz
Laurens van Hoepen
Liam Sceats (NZ)
Callum Hedge (NZ)
Louis Foster
Ryder Quinn (AUS)
Jacob Abel
James Penrose (NZ)
Adam Fitzgerald
Tom McLennan (AUS)
David Morales
Bree Morris (NZ)
Ryan Shehan
Josh Mason
Lucas Fecury - DNF
