Honours trifecta in racing
IndyCar star Scott Dixon has been made a knight companion of the New Zealand order of merit in the new year honours list for services to motorsport.
And completing a hat-trick for the Kiwi world of racing are Tony Quinn as a companion and Brian Davies as an officer of the order.
Dixon is New Zealand’s most successful modern motorsport champion and has continued to compete since his appointment as a companion of the order of merit in 2019.
He has competed for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams since 2001, the longest tenure for a driver in the team’s history. He claimed his sixth IndyCar Series championship and his fourth 24 Hours of Daytona victory with Wayne Taylor Racing, both in 2020.
Of currently active IndyCar drivers, he holds the distinction of having the most wins with 59 and, following his second-place finish at the Milwaukee Mile 250s in 2024, he took the record of most career IndyCar podiums with 142.
“Notably, earlier in his career he won the Indianapolis 500 in 2008, the largest one-day sporting event in the world,” adds his citation.
“He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in March 2024.
“Outside of motorsport, he is a regular supporter of charities in New Zealand and internationally, particularly fundraising for children’s charities. Dixon is an ambassador for CanTeen, St Jude and Teen Cancer America.”
‘Transforming’ sport in NZ
Tony Quinn has been recognised for services to the community as well as motorsport. According to his citation, he has “profoundly transformed New Zealand motorsport since 2012 through his investments and expertise”.
Quinn’s development of the world-class Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, opened in 2013, “revolutionised” the motorsport sector.
The citation adds: “He then acquired and upgraded Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in 2015 and Taupo International Motorsport Park in 2021. These facilities have delivered substantial regional benefits including jobs, tourism, events, and economic growth.”
Quinn was also instrumental in securing the Australian Supercars Championship’s return to New Zealand in 2024 with a three-year deal at Taupo.
In 2021, he established the Tony Quinn Foundation and Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy, nurturing young talent to succeed on the world stage, with Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson being the first to benefit from the foundation.
Quinn is heavily involved in Cromwell community initiatives including funding mental-health workshops and a school social worker in 2022, and a $750,000 investment in 2024 to revive the Street Smart defensive driving programme, which aims to enhance road safety for learner drivers.
Contribution over six decades
Brian Davies, who remains involved with his local community as a car enthusiast, has been honoured for his 60-year contribution to motorsport.
As a member of Manawatu Car Club since 1964, he has held various roles including assistant clerk of the course of Manfield Racetrack Circuit since its inception in 1973. He has been the clerk of the course for Wellington Street Race, and race meetings held in Taupo, Pukekohe and Cromwell since the 1980s.
As clerk, Davies is the designated official who holds responsibility of conduct and control of each event in accordance with the regulations, programme and organising permit. The Wellington Street Race attracted international drivers with global live coverage of cars driving at more than 200kph through the city’s streets.
He dispatches safety and rescue teams, has oversight of track conditions and holds authority on imposing penalties in accordance with regulations.
Since 1986, Davies has served as chief steward of Motorsport NZ responsible for enforcing the national sporting code, rules and regulations, and governance of meetings and events. He was appointed by the Federation Internationale del I’Automobile as official observer in 1995.
He has been patron of Manawatu Car Club since 2019 and was inducted into Motorsport NZ’s honours roll in 2023.
