Family ties in dream GP

Australian racer Ryder Quinn will take part in the 68th New Zealand Grand Prix this month and in doing so help fulfil a dream for his grandfather and circuit owner Tony Quinn.

The younger Quinn, who returns to the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship he competed in last year, went well at Highlands Motorsport Park last season before heading off for the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup. 

He also has some fresh knowledge of the Cromwell circuit after driving in the Highlands 6-Hour Enduro towards the end of last year.

The 18-year-old, pictured, is reacquainting himself with the Toyota FT60 during testing this week at the Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch before joining the full grid for the Grand Prix over the weekend of February 16-18. 

As in 2023, Quinn will be part of the M2 Competition team.

The Grand Prix is heading to the scenic 4.1km track for the first time and it will also be the first running of the race in the South Island since 2007.

Tony Quinn opened the Highlands circuit more than a decade ago with the dream of one day hosting the New Zealand Grand Prix. 

The significance of the weekend is not lost on his grandson, Ryder, who says he’s relishing the challenge of doing well “at home”.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am to be competing in the 68th NZ GP at Highlands as the wildcard for M2 Competition,” Quinn adds. 

“The Highlands team has had this goal in mind since the beginning and it is super special that I’m able to compete for such a prestigious trophy, around such an iconic track.

“From a driving side, the biggest challenge will be wrapping myself around the Pirelli tyres and getting back into the ‘Formula’ state of mind … I’ll have to dust off the cobwebs and get back into the groove.”

Polish star Roman Bilinski currently leads the championship with just two rounds – and six races – remaining. Kiwis Liam Sceats and Kaleb Ngatoa lead the chase.