Motorsport magnate Tony Quinn honoured over Kiwi contributions

Monday, 18 March 2024

Quinn acquired Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in 2015, two years after construction of Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell was completed.

One of the motorsport world’s most outspoken characters, Tony Quinn, has been named by the New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild as the latest recipient of the Neil Nelson Trophy, awarded to those who have “gone above and beyond the norm in contributing to the motoring landscape”.

Having initially experienced a series of business failures in Australia, Scotland-born Quinn eventually carved out a reputation for himself in setting up the successful business VIP Petfoods, before adding (and subsequently turning around) confectionary firm Darrell Lea.

Tony Quinn [left] pictured with Motor Writer's Guild president Robert Barry.

Throughout his business rise, Quinn’s involvement in Australasian motorsport grew and grew. He was a regular competitor and team owner in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in the early 2000s, eventually shifting to other championships like Australian GT and the Aussie Race Cars series.

Quinn’s role as a competitor in motorsport took a considerable knock in 2022, when he crashed a Porsche at almost 150kph, suffering eight broken ribs, five fractured vertebrae, a punctured lung, a broken leg, and a broken foot.

In 2013, Quinn opened Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell — New Zealand’s largest and most elaborate motorsport facility. Two years later, he acquired Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in Waikato, dropping significant investment into the circuit and subsequently completing a planned track extension and amenities renovation.

Matthew Payne and Richie Stanaway look ahead to the 2024 Supercars season, where they will be racing Penrite Mustangs.

Quinn then acquired his third New Zealand circuit in 2021; Taupō International Motorsport Park. The North Island track is preparing to host the Supercars championship for the first time next month.

Alongside the acquisition and improved investment in local racing infrastructure, Quinn has also supported numerous New Zealand race drivers in recent times.

In 2021 the Tony Quinn Foundation was formed. It creates grant and scholarship opportunities for promising young New Zealand race drivers, with the likes of Formula 1 hopeful Liam Lawson, and Indy Lights drivers Hunter McElrea and Callum Hedge amongst the beneficiaries.

Tony Quinn has competed in Carrera Cup Australia, Australian GT, Aussie Race Cars, and numerous Targa rally events, amongst other championships.

TQF exists alongside the Hampton Downs New Zealand Racing Academy; a Quinn-led tuition programme for young drivers wanting to further their craft.

Quinn’s support of local motorsport echoes the likes of Colin Giltrap, who has provided numerous career leg-ups for plenty of successful Kiwi racers over multiple decades. Giltrap is a former recipient of the Guild’s Neil Nelson Trophy award, alongside Peter ‘PJ’ Johnson, Chris Amon, and Greg Murphy.

The award’s namesake, the late Neil Nelson, was a former president of the Motoring Writer’s Guild. It has been awarded to notable members of the local motoring community since 1998.

“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,” said New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild president Robert Barry.

“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.”