Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand driver Liam Sceats supplied / Liam Sceats
Young Kiwi driver Liam Sceats admits it’s difficult to get out of bed some mornings, but he’s determined to make motor racing a career.
The 20-year-old will race the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands in Central Otago this weekend, hoping it will lead to a full-time drive somewhere in the world in 2026.
Sceats won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 2024 before heading to the USA, where he competed in the USF Pro 2000 Championship. That led to a part-time drive in the 2025 Indy NXT Championship.
Unfortunately, a lack of finances curtailed his involvement there and, in recent months, the hope of competing in the Australian Supercars Super2 competition in 2026 has also been dashed by a lack of cash.
He admits it is very frustrating.
“At times I’m feeling defeated and demotivated to get out of bed and continue with my daily routine of emailing and cold calls and researching,” Sceats told RNZ.
“But I just feel that I’ve come so far and managed to enjoy success in everything I’ve competed in so I know I can crack it and become a professional.
“That keeps driving me knowing that the more I bang on the door, it is going to come … I just believe.”
Liam Sceats wins the 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell PHOTOSPORT
The New Zealand Grand Prix is contested by the cars in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, which in recent years has involved future F1 drivers like Lando Norris, Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson and this year includes a half a dozen F1 junior drivers.
Sceats was offered a New Zealand Grand Prix drive just last week, as long as he could find $20,000. Fortunately, he was able to get five of his supporters to donate some money.
Now all in, he wants to make the most of it.
“It’s the biggest race in New Zealand, so I have to make sure I enjoy the moment and showcase my skills and make a statement.”
He is confident he’ll be up to speed quickly despite not having raced in a single-seater for six months.
“My competition have just done three weeks of racing, but no excuses, I’m confident I can adapt quickly.”
The New Zealand Grand Prix has been running since 1950 and winners include Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Ken Smith, Keke Rosberg, Lance Stroll, Lando Norris and Liam Lawson.
Sceats is hoping a good result will lead to something else.
“I have nothing in the works [for 2026] so this opportunity is great for me to compete against some of the best young drivers globally.”
He is currently looking at a GT car option in Asia.
Despite having little on the horizon, Sceats remains optimistic – “Of course I’m happy, I get to race this weekend.”
The New Zealand Grand Prix is at Highlands Motorsport Park this Sunday, 1 February.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
