New Zealand driver Liam Sceats Photo: LIAM SCEATS
Young New Zealand motor racing driver Liam Sceats admits he has probably learnt more off the track than on it this year.
The 18-year-old Aucklander has just completed a season in the third tier of open wheel racing in North America.
Sceats finished fifth overall in the USF Pro 2000 Championship, a stepping stone to what he hopes will be a crack at the top level of world motorsport.
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Sceats headed to the United States having won the New Zealand Grand Prix last summer while finishing second overall in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
However it is tough for a young driver to make their mark as they are largely expected to fund themselves into a seat.
"Motorsport is a rich man's game, with a lot of the drivers having family money behind them, whereas I don't have that so I have to work my backside off to raise the funding," Sceats told RNZ.
He admits working behind the scenes with sponsors was one of his biggest learnings in 2024.
"This year I raised close to NZ$600,000 so I could race, and those experiences alone from getting out there and doing it was invaluable, not just from a motorsport perspective but life in general. Driving is probably 20 to 30 percent of the life of being an aspiring motor racing driver."
New Zealand driver Liam Sceats racing for TJ Speed Motorsports in the USF Pro 2000 in 2024. Photo: LIAM SCEATS
Sceats' 2024 season
It was a mixed year for Sceats in the USF Pro 2000.
He had a strong start with four podiums, including a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However the second half of the season didn't go so well.
"Had a bit of bad luck being crashed into and not finishing in three of the last five races, so that was a big setback. But it was an amazing experience to think at the start of the year it appeared unlikely that I would be able to do the full season because of funding. So to be here now, with 18 races under my belt, it's a super good feeling."
He finished fifth in the championship standings and his promising start to the season meant he gained some attention from sponsors.
The teenager isn't about to rest on his laurels and next year will attempt to move up to the INDY NXT championship - the feeder series to Indycars.
"I'll be back home in New Zealand working super-hard on fundraising, so I can contest a full season in INDY NXT."
This year's car supplier TJ Speed doesn't have an INDY NXT programme so he'll be looking for a new team. Sceats considered doing another year in the third-tier competition to try to win the championship, but decided against it.
"I'm ready to step up to INDY NXT. It's easier to sell to potential sponsors, because of its higher profile worldwide. I think I can be competitive. I want to step up and while it will be tough, I think it's the right choice."
He didn't get the chance to meet up with New Zealand Indycar racers Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin or Marcus Armstrong this year, but is sure they'll meet if he breaks into INDY NXT in 2025.
Sceats intends to defend his New Zealand Grand Prix title this summer.