87 – Damon Leitch
Country of origin: New Zealand
Date of birth: 23rd December 1992 (19)
Race number: 87
Sponsors: Zero Fees (SIT), Post Haste, Miles Toyota, PPG Paints, Mobil 1, Nuffield Autos
Damon Leitch is the ‘Southern Man’ of TRS and eagerly anticipates the annual Teretonga International meeting at his local race track. He’s just turned 19 and with one season of TRS experience behind him, Damon is looking to improve on his eighth overall placing in 2011.
Last season began well for Damon with a third placing at the opening round in Invercargill. He also led a race at Hampton Downs so is hoping he can achieve consistent finishes to match his speed in 2012.
Named by parents Barry and Marguerite after Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion who he was delighted to meet during the 2011 season – Damon has created a sponsorship portfolio that reflects the family’s Southern heritage.
Damon began his racing career in karts at 7-years of age and progressed into an elderly Van Diemen in local events while still only 13 years of age. His performances gave Damon’s supporters the confidence to purchase a later 1992 Van Diemen.
A home circuit debut at Teretonga Park in March 2007 placed Damon in a round of the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship. This was only Damon’s third appearance at a motor race meeting but he raced to a class win in two of the three races.
Buoyed by Damon’s early success the decision was made to contest the 2007/2008 MTA Formula Ford Championship, the national championship for the class. Although Damon’s first time on many of the circuits, Damon had an impressive debut. In his Class 2 car (built in 1992) he finished tenth overall in the championship, the first Class 2 car in the series.
During the season he recorded a best finish of fifth overall, unprecedented in an older car.
In the 2008/2009 championship Damon stepped into a Class 1 car and he secured a fifth place overall for the season. The 2009/2010 championship Damon again raced his class 1 car and led the series until he had a coming together with one of his rivals, he finished the season in fourth place.
After three years in Formula Ford, Damon entered TRS with sponsorship from Zero Fees, the Southern Institute of Technology’s tertiary funding scheme. The car is presented in the now familiar bright orange colours that have carried the innovative Zero Fees message to circuits throughout New Zealand.
Damon has had a meteoric rise in his short motorsport career. Damon was named as a finalist for the Steel Trophy, Motorsport New Zealand’s Award to the New Zealand driver under 21 years of age who exhibits dedication, commitment and a level of professionalism and sportsmanship as they progress to the upper echelons of the sport.
Damon has made an impression on the motor racing fraternity, with no less than one of New Zealand’s best, Kenny Smith, commending Damon’s performance. Damon proudly represents his home town of Invercargill, driving success from the south.
He’s being run by Victory Motorsport out of Nelson.
