Nineteen-year-old New Zealand driver Liam Sceats needs to secure USD 1.2 million in funding to compete in all 12 2025 Indy NXT Championship rounds.
Currently in Indianapolis, Sceats discussed his motorsport journey, ambitions in the IndyCar pathway, and the financial realities of professional racing during an interview with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB. He emphasised the crucial role of sponsorship and investment in sustaining a racing career at this level.
This weekend, Sceats will compete at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for Round 2 of the championship, joining fellow New Zealander Callum Hedge on the grid. He returns with HMD Motorsports under a two-race agreement, which includes this weekend’s event and the following Indianapolis Road Course double-header.
Between Rounds 1 and 2, Sceats returned to New Zealand, where he has been actively working to secure additional support through fundraising events and sponsorship opportunities. He recently announced backing from Myland Partners and LegaSea to assist with his campaign.
Sceats made his Indy NXT debut at the season opener in St. Petersburg, where he qualified fifth following encouraging practice performances. Unfortunately, his race was cut short due to a first-lap incident, resulting in an 18th-place classification.
“It felt good [to qualify fifth]. St.Petersburg is a street circuit, so having a debut there was daunting, but we were fast, and I managed to get to grips with it quickly,” said Sceats
“Last year, on my debut in Formula 3, I got on the podium there [St Petersburg], so I knew I could be strong there, and we showed our strong pace in qualifying with 3rd in the group and 5th overall. It’s a shame what happened in the race, on the opening lap, but you see that all the time in motorsport.”
“What’s your assessment of your prospects for this weekend in Alabama?” asked Hosking
“I’m confident. As I said at St Petersburg, and not only that, but through the four tests we’ve had so far this year and the back end of last year, I’ve been fast; I’ve been in the top six and one of the leading rookies, so I’m confident.
“Barber is a high downforce, high risk and high reward track, which makes it tricky, and the weather also looks a bit undecided, so I’m really excited to get there and prove what I’ve got.”
Hosking dove deep into the sort of pressure on Sceat’s shoulders, knowing there’s an “endpoint” as such to his Indycar NXT journey so early on in the season.
“Yes, there’s a lot of pressure, but this is not the first time, and it won’t be the last. Last year, my season was race by race, and I turned up to the race track after flying home from New Zealand, thinking it might be my last time here and my last crack at it.
“So every weekend for me is make or break, and I realise this, and know I need to jump in the car, do the best I possibly can, bring results, and perform to grant that further support.”
Is it that simple, though? If you do well, money will follow?” Hosking asked
“It’s not, it’s certainly not. It definitely does help when you’re a winner; support comes to you more easily, but yeah, for me, largely, it comes from hustling and doing the groundwork, which I’ve been doing over on New Zealand soil for the 6 months of my New Zealand summer to have a crack in Indy NXT this year, on the doorstep of Indycar. I’m doing as much as possible, talking and meeting with people to rally more support.
“There are so many generous people in New Zealand, and I currently have great support behind me in the Tony Quinn Foundation, James Kirkpatrick Group, JFC, Omega Rental Cars, Go Media, and so many more.
“These people really want to help and see the Kiwi of the next generation be on the world stage and follow the career of Scott Dixon, so I’ve been very lucky to this point in my career.”
Sceats and Hosking discussed how talent alone will only get you so far in motorsport and how more is required if you want to make it onto the world stage and make your success stick.
“Motorsport is very different in the sense that it doesn’t only require talent and skill but talent, skill and finance and funding behind you, so it brings in a new dynamic where you not only have to perform on track but also off track, with raising sponsorship, investment and getting those people behind you so you can continue to fuel your racing and that’s exactly what I have to do coming from little old New Zealand.”
Hosking referred to a statement Greg Murphy recently made regarding Liam Lawson in Formula 1 and how Piastri has someone like Mark Webber sitting next to him who has the experience and racecraft. That’s the sort of help and mentorship Liam needs.
Hosking asked Sceats if he has people around him like Mark Webber who are helping and can give him the advice and guidance he needs.
“Yes, I’m very fortunate to have many people surround me with support. Of course, my family are big supporters, and my management includes Steve Horne, Mark Pilcher, and Shane McConigly. I also have countless other mentors like Greg Murphy himself, Paul Radisich, Owen Evans, and Daniel Gaunt, who are all behind me and really support me on this journey.”
“Liam, cold calling people, is that who you literally have to do to raise money?” Hosking asked.
“Yes, it is. It’s something I have to do; it’s part of the job as a race car driver. To be honest with you, I love the process of it now; I’ve had to learn to love it in order to keep my bum in a seat and behind the wheel. I’m not sure if the people on the receiving end always appreciate and love it, but as I’ve said, I have to do it; it’s a new passion of mine.
“The selling point I have is I want to be that next Kiwi of the next generation to achieve what Scott Dixon has. He’s a prime example of someone who was just a young fella in New Zealand with the talent and the potential to make it big. Through rallying investors and sponsors behind him, he managed to go to the US, and the rest is history.
“Now, those people behind him are really reaping the benefit of a journey they were a part of and, of course, the payback through the investment scheme, so I’m just using that as a prime example and trying to find my own people to get behind me and enjoy the journey and be a part of something special to be.
“I truly believe I have what it takes and can be that ‘next Kiwi’ achieving acute success on the world stage.”
“You mentioned Scott Dixon, but there’s McLaughlin and Armstrong as well, and that does help, I take it, because I mean, in terms of pound for pound, New Zealand boxes are so far above their weight in this area, doesn’t it?” Hosking asked
“Yes 100%. It’s huge to have Scott, Marcus, and Dixon over there paving the way for a young Kiwi; not just me, but so many of us look up to those guys, are inspired by them, and aspire to be in their shoes one day.
“Scott [Dixon], as I mentioned, is a prime example, a point of inspiration for me as he had to do precisely what I have to do and hustle to have the opportunity on track and then prove himself, so yeah, we are very lucky to have those guys to look up to over here.
“My goal is to win the Indy 500, win in Indycar, and look into Formula 1 in the long term.”
“What’s the step-up been like into what your driving now?” Hosking asked
“Yeah, it’s been many steps along the way. Starting in go-karts at 6 years old, I went from Formula Ford to the Toyota Racing Series, where I managed to win the New Zealand Grand Prix, to racing in Formula 3 in Japan and America.
“I think the New Zealand Grand Prix was the breakthrough for me, which gave me the opportunity last year to step over here to the US and have a crack on the Road to IndyCar scene. All of that racing wouldn’t of been possible without these people behind. I’ve raised just over a million dollars in sponsorship and investments since 2022, which is when I hopped out of go-karts at 15 years old, so a lot has gone into it, on and off track.”
Sceats finished the interview by discussing the travel logistics and his dedication as he prepares to continue his rookie season in IndyCar NXT. He talked about flying in and out per race meeting between America and New Zealand and sleeping on couches with Kiwi friends in the US. He spoke of his severe jetlag in the Indycar NXT test last week as he flew into America less than 24 hours before being out on track.
“That’s just the reality of my situation. I enjoy it and can find the fun in it, but yes, I am sleeping on a couch in preparation for Barber this weekend.”
The Indy NXT race at Barber is scheduled for Monday morning (NZT), and coverage will be available on Sky Sport and the INDYCAR Live App.
“The weather looks like rain at this stage for practice and qualifying days for the race this weekend in Alabama! That’ll spice it up,” said Sceats
“We were competitive when we tested in the wet in California earlier this year, so bring on the challenge!”
When to watch?
- Practice 1: Saturday 6:30 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 2:10 AM
- Qualifying Group 1: Sunday 5:30 AM
- Qualifying Group 2: Sunday 5:48 AM
- Race: Monday 3:35 AM
Header Image: Supplied
