Behind the wheel with a Kiwi

Hi there everyone,

This is to be my first blog on DriverDB, and a good way to gain extra exposure to race fans and drivers around the world.

My name is Jono Lester, and I?m an 18 year old from New Zealand racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup, both here at home and across the Tasman Sea in Australia.

While 2008 marks my first year in the tough Aussie championship, with new cars, new drivers and new circuits to encounter, I have already competed in my native championship twice, beginning as a 16 year old in late 2006.

My motorsport background is fairly brief. I didn?t compete in karting but grew up aound the sport as my grandparents built the Manfeild circuit here in New Zealand, and my grandfather, father and Aunt all raced with considerable success.

I decided in 2003 at 13 that I?d like to give motorsport a try first hand, and competed in the Formula First (aka Vee) championship for two seasons before moving onto Formula Challenge, where I scored my first race wins and continued the learning process.

Other than that, I?ve done very little in the way of competitive driving, but had a strong debut season in the GT3s finishing fourth overall and becoming the youngest race winner in the world in March 2007, at 17.

My most prized accolades are being awarded the 2007 Steel Trophy, representing the top under-21 driver in the country, and the 2008 Presidents Scholarship which granted me time with Formula One and general sporting neuroscience god, Dr. Kerry Spackman.

I broke my leg in an accident racing in March this year, and have been recovering ever since, but am getting back to a level of fitness and confidence now that gives me high hopes of success in the coming year.

Please see my website, http://www.jonolester.com. It is currently under a reconstruction, but still has more info on my achievements etc.

Well, that?s about it for now. Until next time…