New Zealand rally legend Hayden Paddon and MotorSport New Zealand have partnered to launch a new initiative to give young drivers a safe way to experience the thrill of motorsport.
Ignite Motorsport Club will provide a safe and controlled environment for young drivers to experience the thrill of motorsport, while also teaching them critical car control skills aimed at keeping them safer on New Zealand’s roads.
Crucially, the program is completely free for young people to take part in, lowering the barrier to participation in motorsport.
The initiative is the brainchild of WRC rally winner and his Paddon Racing Group (PRG) team, who have long observed young Kiwis’ passion for cars, speed, and thrill-seeking, but have not had a clear pathway into the safe and controlled environment motorsport offers.
Paddon hopes that positioning the Ignite Motorsport Club as a first step into the sport at no cost to youngsters will not only spark the next generation of drivers but also help keep thrill-seeking behaviour off the roads.
“We all know young people love cars and speed, and that won’t change,” Paddon said.
“What we can change is where and how they experience that. Ignite is about giving them a safe outlet that’s fun, but also builds real skills for them on our roads.”
Schools, communities and local MotorSport New Zealand clubs will be the key parts in the Ignite Motorsport Club program. The initiative will connect teenagers with local motorsport clubs, giving them a clear pathway into the sport and a way to take their passion further.
The driver training days will comprise two popular motorsport events: a motorkhana and an autocross. Backing from Hayden Paddon, PRG, and other local expert drivers will ensure participants receive top-level tuition.
Through MotorSport New Zealand and its member clubs, teens will be guided through further participation in the sport and advancing their skills.
Deborah Day, President of MotorSport New Zealand, said the initiative was a positive step toward safer roads.
“Young drivers remain one of the most at-risk groups in New Zealand,” said Day.
“By reaching them early, we can give them the skills and environment to learn properly, safely, and not on New Zealand’s public roads, while also introducing them to the motorsport community in a structured way that keeps them engaged.”
Ultimately, the Ignite Motorsport Club presents a rare blend of road safety education and motorsport opportunity. Engaging teenagers in a positive way will help to reduce risky driving behaviours while also strengthening the grassroots motorsport community in New Zealand.
Paddon will begin visiting schools and spreading the word next week in the Waikato, before more school appearances across the country over the following months. The driving experience events will launch this summer, giving students the chance to practice in a safe and exciting environment.
Waikato will host Ignite Motorsport Club’s inaugural driving event on 14 December, followed by the Manawatu on 18 December. Two further South Island events will take place in early 2026.
Last year, 97 young drivers lost their lives on our roads, with a further 636 seriously injured.
Organisers hope the programme will not only save lives but also spark the next generation of kiwi motorsport talent. Further information can be found at ignitemotorsport.co.nz or on the MotorSport New Zealand and Paddon Racing Group social media accounts.
Header Image: Supplied
