This upcoming season will be my second in the Toyota 86 Racing Series category. I was lucky to be given an opportunity when I was 13 to have a test drive by Toyota New Zealand and the following week I was asked if I would like to compete in last year’s series. I learned so much and a real highlight was coming 5th at Pukekohe amongst a field of amazing drivers who some I have looked up to growing up in karts.
I’m only 14, but I am very driven and passionate about becoming a professional driver but at the same time I believe it is important to be humble. I got into karting when I saw it on TV when I was still at kindergarten. We found out we needed to be 6 to start and I asked my parents every month “am I 6 yet”. My parents have never been involved in motorsport (although I did find out that my great grandfather drove in the very first rally of New Zealand) – this is my dream!
I’m very lucky to attend St Peter’s School in Cambridge where they are fully supportive of my goals. I am in the Performance Excellence Program, where the school has a small group of sports students who excel in their chosen sport and St Peter’s provides a mentoring program where they provide us with personal trainer sessions, sport nutritionist and sports psychologist. The school is also associated with NZ Sport Performance who have also helped me recently. I train 6 days per week and also represent the school in rowing which compliments driving fitness.
I drive at any opportunity and love training rain, hail or shine. I am very lucky to have some amazing people surrounding me giving me great training and support including Mark Pilcher from M2 Competition, Tony Quinn, Mathew Kinsman, Tom Alexander, Kenny Smith and Norwell Motorplex in Australia. Since a lot of people support me I also try to give back and if I’m not racing I am at the track supporting young cadets. I currently also rear 20 calves as I like to contribute where I can towards my driving costs.