In only his first year of car racing, Young Gold Coast based Kiwi Hunter McElrea was one of the eight up and coming racing talents, to be selected for the 2016 Motorsport New Zealand Elite Academy.
Relishing the opportunity, he enjoyed an extremely successful week, Finishing a very close Runner up to TR86 driver, Jacob Smith.
“It was a truly amazing experience.” said McElrea. “I never expected to learn and develop so much in a week. I now have such a larger wealth of knowledge in regards to not only being a successful race driver in the car, but also outside the cockpit. To end the week finishing an really close 2nd place, topped it all off really”.
The week long Academy is a programme that has been designed to foster the professional development of talented Kiwi motorsport competitors, which has played a significant role in the careers of many established New Zealand stars such as, Brendon Hartley (WEC World Champion), Shane van Gisbergen (V8 Supercar Driver), Haydon Paddon (WRC Winner) and many more kiwi International stars.
McElrea, who has stepped up into the fiercely competitive Australian Formula Ford field at the tender age of 16, says he can’t wait to put what he has learnt to use in his championship.
“Obviously the camp has given me a massive boost and I have so many new tricks, tips, and techniques to work with. Now all I want to do is put them all to use!” says McElrea.
As well as the one-week camp in Dunedin, the Elite Motorsport Academy programme provides a tailored twelve-month follow-up package for the academy graduates to ensure they continue with the training regimes and educational opportunities gained during the camp.
“I would really like to thank everyone from the Otago Academy of sport, especially Mike Jacobs and Stacey Peeters, along with all the Trustees, Bob McMurray, David Turner, Tony Herbert and Lyall Williamson, aswell as Alistair Wooten for making the week not only possible, but so enjoyable.
McElrea now switches his focus to round 3 of the Australian National Formula Ford Round, in two weeks at the Renowned Queensland Raceway Circuit.
