Circuit magnate’s support programmes for rising racing talent acknowledged.

HIGH profile motorsport entrepreneur Tony Quinn has become the latest recipient of a major award meted by New Zealand motoring commentators.

The Scotland-born business magnate, best known here for his three motor racing circuits - one south of Auckland, another at Taupo and the third at Cromwell - also has another major project, the Tony Quinn Foundation.

Created three years ago, this supports grassroots competitors and elite Kiwi drivers competing internationally with grants and scholarship opportunities.

Quinn also established the Hampton Downs New Zealand Racing Academy to help young drivers get the best tuition from experienced motorsport professionals.

The New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild has recognised all these achievements in determining Quinn as the latest recipient of the Neil Nelson Trophy.

The award recognises individuals considered to have gone above and beyond the norm in contributing to the national motoring landscape. 

“Because of the unique criteria for the Neil Nelson Award, it’s not a trophy that is presented regularly, but rather when the Guild executive considers that a person rightfully deserves some recognition,” Guild president Robert Barry says.

“The Guild chose Tony Quinn because he has made a more than significant investment in three now world-class motor racing circuits in New Zealand since 2012; he also established a racing academy and a foundation to support young Kiwis in pursuing their motorsport dreams,” Barry says. 

Quinn said he was humbled and honoured the recognition.

He is more focused than ever on helping young people achieve their dreams in the motorsport arena, locally and internationally.

“I’m more than happy to share my experiences in motorsport with young people seeking some advice and guidance as they start their journey,” he says.  

More than 14 drivers have received grants and scholarship opportunities from the foundation. They include Red Bull Formula 1 junior team driver Liam Lawson, Indy Lights driver Hunter McElrea, Porsche Carrera Cup GT3 driver Callum Hedge, and Brock Gilchrist, who won the 2023 Toyota 86 New Zealand championship. 

Quinn brought into being Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell, which opened in March, 2013. He acquired the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in 2015 and, in November 2021, achieved his circuit trifecta in acquiring the Taupo International Motorsport Park.

In the past years, Quinn has owned and driven Porsche Carrera Cup, Australian GT, and Aussie racing cars, and he currently has a majority shareholding in the Triple Eight Racing V8 Supercars Team.

Some of the past 11 recipients of the Neil Nelson Award have included Giltrap Group founder and philanthropist Colin Giltrap, used vehicle importer and Rally NZ chair Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston, Chris Amon, the former Formula One driver who tailored and lent his name to cars for Toyota New Zealand, and V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy. 

The Guild’s award started in 1998 and honours the memory of Neil Nelson of Palmerston North, a former president of the Guild.