At just 18 years old, Bronson Pierce is proving he is carrying the legacy of the Pierce name after a second-place finish at the New Zealand Minisprint Grand Prix, held at Oceanview Speedway in Whanganui on January 3.
Competing in the national Grand Prix Championship event for just the second time in the Minisprint class, Pierce delivered a calm and controlled drive to secure a podium finish.
His tidy, composed style throughout the meeting has since earned him the nickname “Mr Smooth,” with some competitors and supporters dubbing him “Bond” for his unflustered approach under pressure.
“I was just so stoked to have even made it to the podium, especially at such a big event. Over the past few months, we’ve been faced with plenty of challenges with the car; from engines to setups and everything else in between, so it’s really great to see that luck is finally starting to turn for us,” said Pierce.
The second-place finish stands as a testament to perseverance, preparation, and belief through what has been a challenging period for both Pierce and the team.
Pierce began his racing career at the age of eight, starting in go-karts in the cadet class. He progressed through various karting classes before moving to speedway in the Youth Ministock ranks.
Those formative seasons laid a strong foundation in racecraft and consistency, qualities that were on full display at the Grand Prix. After five seasons in Youth Ministocks, Pierce aged out at 17 and was eager to continue his racing journey in a bigger, faster car.
Racing is firmly embedded in the Pierce family, with Bronson representing the third generation of the family to compete in speedway.
His grandfather, Colin Pierce, along with his brothers, all raced during their younger years. The second generation followed with Bronson’s father, Murray Pierce, continuing the family legacy in the Super Saloon and respective Superstock class alongside brothers Craig and Bunter Pierce.
“Growing up, I spent plenty of time around speedway and at Stratford, my home track. I’ve always had a passion for the sport since I was a young fella watching my dad and uncles race. Having Dad now as my main go-to pit crew is such a cool full-circle moment to continue the Pierce legacy with him,” Pierce added.
With confidence and momentum now building, Pierce turns his attention to the upcoming North Island Championships and the New Zealand Championships, where he will be aiming to carry his “Mr Smooth” form into further national success.
Header Image: Calebs Photography
