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Smith returning to NZ

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 13 December 2024

Australia’s Tommy Smith will prepare for his Indy NXT debut by taking part in the 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship.

Smith will drive the same Giles Motorsport car that Will Brown will steer during the New Zealand based open-wheel season.

Smith’s camp appearance will include the two rounds at Manfeild and Teretonga that Brown will be missing.

The 22-year-old is no stranger to the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship having completed a full season in 2019, finishing 14th.

Tommy Smith in action in New Zealand last summer. Image: Bruce Jenkins

He returned last year for nine races and recorded two podiums.

Smith has spent the last two years competing in FIA Formula 3, but in 2025 a big new challenge awaits as he takes on Indy NXT for HMD Motorsports.

Other single seater championships he has raced include Formula Ford, Asian F3 Championship, GB3, Australian S5000 and Formula Regional Europe.

“I’m really excited to kick off my 2025 season by competing in rounds three and four of the CTFROC,” Smith explained.

“Competing in selected rounds at the beginning of 2024 are some of my most enjoyable racing memories and it is always a great way to prepare for an upcoming season. 

“The ability to go through the whole race weekend process on back-to-back weekends before heading to the US is invaluable. 

“I am also really pleased the opportunity came up with Giles Motorsport who I’ve previously worked with, it will be great to connect with Stephen and his team again.”

Giles Motorsport Team manager Stephen Giles is looking forward to tapping into Smith’s experience.

“I’m looking forward to working with Tommy again this season albeit for a reduced number of rounds,” he said. 

“As always, we’ll be aiming for the best results possible while he’s here and hope the extra mileage and racing experience will help set him up for his next challenge in IndyNXT.”

2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship

Round 01: 10 – 12 January 2025, Taupo International Motorsport Park

Round 02: 17 – 19 January 2025, Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park

Round 03: 24 – 26 January 2025, Manfeild, Circuit Chris Amon

Round 04: 31 January – 2 February 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill

Round 05: 7 – 9 February 2025, Highlands Motorsport Park, 69th New Zealand Grand Prix

Image: Bruce Jenkins

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