New Zealand has always punched above its weight on the world stage when it comes to motorsport. Now, the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy (HDNZRA) will make it easier for drivers to gain the skills and experience they need to take their sport to the next level and develop the next generation of talent.
Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy has been created to upskill and support local and international drivers at a world-class facility. Whether you’re wanting to make the jump from go-karts to cars or have been racing cars for several years and want to hone your skills to improve as a racing driver, we have something for you!
The academy is primarily designed for up and coming drivers to learn basic and advanced driving skills but it is also open to club racers who want to improve their technique.
Hampton Downs is proud of New Zealand’s rich motorsport legacy and is fast becoming a hub for the sport with the Toyota Racing Series and drift car driver ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett’s team, just a few of the motorsport brands to be based out of Hampton Downs.
IMPRESSIVE INSTRUCTORS
Chief Instructor
DANIEL GAUNT (ACE)
Daniel has extensive history racing in both New Zealand and overseas. He is a 2-time NZGP Champion
- 2x Toyota Racing Series Champion
- 2x NZ Grand Prix Winner
- 2020 Asian Lemans LMP2
- V8 Supercar endurance driver ’09-’13
- Porsche NZ GT3 Cup Champion
- Australian Drivers Champion
- Indy Lights
Instructor
TOM ALEXANDER
- New Zealand Toyota 86 Champion
- Australian SuperUte Champion
- 2021 New Zealand Grand Prix
- Currently racing NZ GT cars
Instructor
DION PITT
- Highlands Group Pro-Driver
- NZ GT4 Driver
- 2023 Toyota 86 Championship Race & Round Winner
- Runner up BMW Race Driver Series
Instructor
KALEB NGATOA
- TR86 Race Winner
- NZGP Pole
- Historic NZGP Winner
- Dorothy Smith Memorial Trophy Winner
- 2nd Toyota Racing Series
Guest Instructor
STEPHEN ``ROBBO`` ROBINSON
Each year, a few lucky Academy students have the oppourtunity to drive under coaching from Robbo, a unique opportunity for tuition from one of the top industry leaders in the world
- Ex-head coach for Norwell Motorplex
- Driving Coach to the stars
- Accompanied the likes of Broc Feeney and Anton DePasquale
- Currently resides in Australia
CREW
TODD BICKERTON
Todd has 40+ years of experience in Motorsport including 3 x NZ Group A Touring Car, 7 x NZ Tranzam, 11 x Porsche Cup and 4 x TR86 and GR86 Championships.
- Currently running the HDNZRA 86 cars and a Porsche GT3 Cup MR in the NZ Endurance Championship
CREW
JULZ TATLER
Julz has 20+ Years working as a Mechanic in the WRC (World Rally Championship) APRC (Asia Pacific Rally Championship) and various National & Regional championships world wide including Safari Rally Kenya and Pikes Peak Hillclimb USA.
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Currently the Park Mechanic at Hampton Downs responsible for ‘U Drive’ & ‘Hot Lap’ cars and running of HD Academy Toyota 86’s
Ambassadors
Kenny Smith
- NZ Motorsport Icon
- 16x NZ Championships
- Over 50 years & counting racing!
Tony Quinn
- Owner Hampton Downs & Highlands Motorsport Parks
- Targa Tasmania Champion
- Fierce GT competitor
Greg Murphy
- 4x Bathurst 1000 winner
- V8 Supercar Icon
Young Guns Ambassadors
CALLUM HEDGE
Indy NXT Driver with Abel Motorsports (2025)
CHRIS WHITE
Bridgestone GR86 Championship Driver (2025)
- 2024 TQF Shootout Winner
ZACK SCOULAR
EuroCup 3 Driver for Palou Motorsport (2025)
- 2023 TQF Shootout Winner
HUGO ALLAN
Monochrome GT4 AUS Series Silver Am Cup and Bridgestone GR86 Championship Driver (2025)
JACKSON ROONEY
AUS Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Driver for TekworkX Motorsport (2025)
RIANNA O'MEARA-HUNT
E1 World Championship Pilot for Team Drogba (2025)
RYAN WOOD
Supercars Championship Driver with Walkinshaw Adretti United (2025)
WILLIAM EXTON
GTNZ GT4 Championship Driver for SP Tools McLaren (2025)
TOM BEWLEY
AUS Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Driver for Earl Bamber Motorsport (2025)
BROCK GILCHRIST
Asia Porsche Carrera Cup Driver with Team Porsche NZ & Earl Bamber Motorsport (2025)
A-GRADE ATTENDEES
LOUIS SHARP
Currently making his debut in Formula 3 for Rodin Motorsport (2025)
MARCO MANSON
North Island Formula Ford Championship Driver (2025)