Prize pool to be shared in Academy Shoot-out

Three young New Zealand race car drivers will share in $70,000 of funding from the Tony Quinn Foundation towards their entries into next year’s New Zealand Grand Prix.

Following the recent announcement from the Toyota Racing Series that the NZGP meeting will be their only event next year, TQ Foundation patron Tony Quinn has announced the original prize purse for the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy Shoot-out winner will now be split three ways for the TRS prize.

Under a normal five-round TRS championship, the $70,000 would have contributed towards one driver’s costs, but with a one-round NZGP budget costing much less, the decision was made to give each finalist a share of the prize pool.

“We’re delighted that New Zealand’s long-standing annual GP will continue uninterrupted by Covid-19 restrictions. Splitting the prize money will allow more young New Zealand drivers to take part in their Grand Prix, and how’s that for a career starter?” said Tony Quinn.

Drivers who have taken part in the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy over the last 12 months are all eligible to be selected as one of the three finalists for the Shoot-out on November 9th.

The TQ Foundation/ HDNZRA Shoot-out winner will now receive $30,000 towards the budget of their NZGP meeting, the runner-up will get $22,500 and the remaining finalist $17,500.

The NZGP is the most prestigious motor race in New Zealand’s motorsport history and is one of only two events world-wide that is given FIA Grand Prix status outside of Formula 1. Aside from New Zealand, the Macau Grand Prix is the other and has an equally impressive history.

Next year will be the 67th time that drivers have raced for the NZGP trophy, etched with some of the most famous motor racing names in the world.

Even without the international drivers last year due to the same travel restrictions and lack of MIQ space, Hampton Downs turned on a magnificent NZGP event that was contested by some of the biggest names in New Zealand motorsport.

Won by V8 Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen, there were a host of rookie drivers that thrived on the chance to race wheel-to-wheel with their own Kiwi heroes, like van Gisbergen and Greg Murphy, and up-and-coming young stars Kaleb Ngatoa and Matthew Payne.

“I’m glad the Foundation can assist three drivers into the next Grand Prix so they too can enjoy the same chance to race against the best drivers we have,” added Quinn.

There are a host of up and coming young drivers vying for a place in the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy Shoot-out. For them, now the chance of striking gold has just got a whole lot better.