Formula Juniors Set Sail For New Zealand 

MEDIA RELEASE NOVEMBER 2025

Donald McDonald

JUNIORS SET SAIL FOR NEW ZEALAND
The Formula Junior Platinum Jubilee World Tour is an international series of events celebrating the
70th anniversary of Formula Junior racing in 2026. While the tour has a global scope including US
and other regional events, the 2026 New Zealand leg will feature the opening rounds of the tour.
With the confirmed entry now of twelve International Formula Junior cars from the UK, Italy, USA
and Australia already on their way and arriving in the country in the next few weeks, the
anticipation of watching three consecutive meetings only in the South Island this coming
February, promises to be something special.
The 12 international entries, many of whom compete regularly in British and European
championships or series, includes British drivers Geoff Underwood, the winner of the recent
Copenhagen Grand Prix, driving a Brabham BT2, and the vastly experienced Ray Mallock in
his Mallock U2.
Intense competition is eagerly anticipated as there will also be a strong New Zealand entry
resulting in full grids to provide close and exciting racing. Twice New Zealand Sports car
Champion, Noel Woodford, will be driving his refreshed Gemini Mk3A, and in a welcome
return to New Zealand, Australian resident Grant Walker will be driving a Lotus 18 FJ, owned
by NZ’s Jim Richards. Grant Walker raced Formula Fords in the 1970’s winning the 1975 NZ
Championship in the Brambles NZ Freighters team Elfin Superford whilst in 1977 driving a
Titan, he was runner up in the then Driver to Europe Series. He also ran the ex Paul Fahey
Cologne Capri before moving to Australia.
International entrants are:
ITALY                                   Andrea Guarino Elva 100
USA                                     Robert Hoemke Lola Mk 5A
AUSTRALIA                      Marty Bullock Wren F3
UK
Charles Cook                     Nike FJ
Robin Longdon                Lola Mk 5A
Graham Barron                Gemini Mk2
Tony Lees                           Lola Mk 5A
Richard Bishop-Miller    Caravelle Mk 2
Geoff Underwood           Brabham BT2
Ray Mallock                      Mallock U2 Mk2
Adrian Russell                  Lotus 22
David Smith Lenham    MG Midget

NEW ZEALAND (Final entries to be confirmed)
Peter Benbrook              Gemini Mk2
Mike Sexton                     Gemini Mk2 or Stanguellini
Roger Herrick                  Lola Mk 2
Nigel Russell                    FMZ
Gary Langsford               Elva 100
Paul Halford                    Autosud
Noel Woodford              Gemini Mk 3A
Phil Foulkes                    Lotus 20/22
Mark Barrett                   Lotus 22
John Rapley                   Brabham BT2
Keith Pfieffer                  Talisman
Peter White                    Gemini Mk 3
Kevin Anderson             Cooper T51
Grant Clearwater           Cooper T59
Grant Walker                  Lotus 18
NZ Invitation entries:
Tony Olissoff                   Brabham BT 21
Vern Williamson            Oakley Mk 6
Peter Boel                       Elfin F3
Matt Adams                   Brabham BT9

The first meeting for this impressive field of deceptively fast 60 year old open wheelers will be
at Euromarque Motorsport Park Ruapuna, followed in subsequent weekends by the Southern
Classic at the Levels circuit near Timaru with the final event being the Ascot Park Hotel
Speedfest at Teretonga Park Invercargill.

Race Dates are:
Skope Ruapuna Christchurch: February 6/7/8
Southern Classic Levels Timaru: February 13/14/15
Ascot Park Hotel Speedfest Teretonga Invercargill February 20/21/22