Liam Sceats has returned to the United States and is taking part in a two-day Indy NXT testing session with HMD Motorsports at Laguna Seca in California.
While the reigning New Zealand Grand Prix champion is yet to lock in a full-time drive for 2025, he is set to start the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the same team.
Laguna Seca was busy with the on-track action on Wednesday, but a rainstorm on Thursday has reduced run time.
“I’m looking forward to getting valuable track time in both dry and wet weather with HMD Motorsports,” Sceat said ahead of the test.
“This two day test is key preparation for the season opener at the St. Petersburg street circuit in Florida later this month.
“It’s a chance to grow my knowledge and experience with the car under different conditions, prepare for what’s ahead and learn the track as I have never driven here before.
“I’ve poured a lot of work into getting to this point, and I’m truly grateful for the support from everyone who’s helped me along the way.
“The offseason has been anything but quiet. Instead of spending time on the track, I’ve been fully immersed in my fundraising mission—working hard to build connections across New Zealand and the U.S. This period has made me feel more like a businessman than a racing driver!
“It hasn’t been easy aswell, especially with the challenges of the NZ economy and the exchange rate with the USD. I’m very lucky for my performance coach, Shane McConigly, and for all the mentors and backers who are helping me on this mission.”
Sceats has also been present at several Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC) rounds, working with American driver Shawn Rashid.
“It has also given me a different perspective on things, and despite the withdrawals of being on the sideline, it has allowed me to learn a lot,” he added.
“The fact that spending four consecutive days at the track on the sidelines watching, and not as a driver, made me think, how have my parents managed to do this for the last 14 years!”
Sceats’s North American duties come off the back of a busy 2024, where he finished as runner-up in CTFROC, winning the New Zealand Grand Prix in the season’s final race. He then finished fifth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship, where he took five podiums, including one win, with TJ Speed Motorsports.
HMD have eight cars confirmed for full-time campaigns, their lineup including 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship drivers Josh Pierson, Nikita Johnson, and Tommy Smith, as well as Bryce Aron, who finished sixth in last year’s New Zealand Grand Prix.
Also included in HMD’s lineup is former Xfinity Series driver Hailie Deegan, and former Formula 3 driver Sophia Flörsch.
Fellow Kiwi Callum Hedge has also been in action at Laguna Seca, testing with his new team Abel Motorsport.
The 2025 Indy NXT season begins with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2.
Header Image: Supplied
