FROT – Teretonga: Slater breaks down Ugochukwu, Rovanperä completes his best weekend

Twenty-four hours after the deluge at Teretonga, the rain continued at the southernmost circuit in the world for the Formula Regional Oceania series. Following Freddie Slater's first victory in Race 1, Kalle Rovanperä secured his first podium finish in... carWith race 2 being postponed due to heavy rain, the stakes were high. Ugo Ugochukwu took advantage of the reverse grid rule to win race 2 – which was held in place of race 3 – ahead of Ryan Wood and Cooper Chipman.

While Freddie Slater finished in 15th position, the gap seemed to have widened once again for the American leader. However, in Race 4, the balance tipped once more in favor of the Briton. Although the race began on a dry track, rain arrived during the session. Marked by several safety car interventions, and even a red flag, the Spirit of a Nation Trophy (a trophy specific to this fourth race at Teretonga) came down to the final moments between the two leaders. Ugo Ugochukwu was leading at the time, before making a mistake in the rain, running wide, and going off the track alone in the lead. Seizing the opportunity, Freddie Slater simply had to accelerate at the right moment to clinch his second victory of the weekend.

Rovanperä convinces in Teretonga

As we mentioned earlier, Kalle Rovanperä indeed had a very solid weekend in his Hitech. Third in Race 1, securing his first-ever podium finish in single-seaters, the two-time World Rally Champion demonstrated clear confidence at the end of this third weekend of the Formula Regional Oceania series. Fifth in Race 2, then seventh in Race 4, the Finn, who was struggling to break into the top 10 just two weeks ago, is now a fixture there. Eleventh overall, he is now hot on the heels of James Wharton, driver of Formula 3 in 2026.

ALSO READ > Kalle Rovanperä takes her first podium in Teretonga!

Regarding the standings, Ugo Ugochukwu now holds only a 22-point lead over Freddie Slater. With 237 points to Slater's 215, the American will need to regain his momentum during the final race weekend next week at Highlands Motorsport Park. Despite retiring from Race 2, Japan's Jin Nakamura remains third in the championship thanks to his two podium finishes, and is only four points behind a more impressive Slater, who, while not always more effective at this stage, is still struggling. New Zealanders Louis Sharp and Ryan Wood remain in contention with over 200 points with one weekend remaining, but will need to work hard to try and clinch the title.

FROT (Oceania Regional Formula)
Race 2 ranking

Race 4 ranking