The opening round of the 2023 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell has significance for circuit owner Tony Quinn. Lining up on the grid will be grandson, Ryder Quinn, plus a number of Kiwi drivers who have been helped by the Tony Quinn Foundation (TQF).
The TQF is an initiative driven by Quinn, who owns three motorsport circuits in New Zealand – Hampton Downs, Highlands, and Taupo Motorsport Parks, with the goal of supporting young Kiwi kids with the talent and determination to make it on the world stage.
Quinn is a Scotsman who made his money in Australia but has chosen to spend his ‘fortune’ on motorsport in New Zealand.
“I love New Zealand as a country and if I could choose to live in any country, it would be New Zealand,” commented Quinn. “I get asked this question a lot in Australia as to why I chose to spend my money in New Zealand.
“Australia doesn’t need it and that’s not to say New Zealand needs it more. It’s just that NZ always delivers more bang for buck, compared with Australia.
“It’s with the help from the likes of Colin Giltrap, Kenny Smith and PJ, who have done a marvelous job of building the sport in New Zealand into a well-developed global product.
“Without Toyota New Zealand and their commitment to motorsport, we would be in a much different place. Toyota have done a stella job of keeping it alive, going and relevant.
“There is a whole squad of (Toyota) people that keep it going and it is known throughout the world.
“The TQ Foundation is part of the legacy. It’s only two years old and we have given away over half-a-million dollars in supporting drivers overseas.
“We have pathways into both Europe and the US for (NZ) kids in the future and it will grow and grow and have more prestige.
“The reality is that I have laid in place my future legacy, meaning that when I am dead and gone, the three (NZ) tracks are going to be separated from my Australian businesses and they will support each other and look after the motorsport activities that we do in NZ and the foundation, long after I am gone.”
Identifying, supporting and sponsoring the next generation of talented young Kiwis on their journey is the goal of the Tony Quinn Foundation established in 2021. The foundation boasts a wealth of well-connected motorsport industry players including (above photo from left to right) Steve Horne, Tony Quinn, Josie Spillane, Greg Murphy and John Gordon.
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