ABOUT LEIGHTON
Leighton Leevard is a sixteen‑year‑old junior dragster racer, speedway driver, actor, and ambassador from Auckland. He began acting at age four, started racing junior dragsters at seven, and added speedway racing to his career at fourteen. Over the years, he has appeared in numerous adverts, interviews, and films, with his most notable entertainment achievement being the opportunity to work alongside Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.
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Among all his accomplishments, Leighton is proudest of being appointed a HeartKids NZ Child Ambassador. In this role, he attends charity events and speaks publicly about his personal heart journey to raise awareness of congenital heart defects (CHD) and to inspire others to live life to their fullest potential.
In early 2025, Leighton tried a ministock for the first time. After a successful trial, he was instantly hooked and expanded his motorsport career, racing a ministock out of Waikaraka Park Speedway for the 2024–2025 season alongside his ongoing junior dragster racing. His rookie year featured several standout achievements, including being named Waikaraka Park Rookie of the Year, Future of Speedway Rookie Champion, and receiving the Waihi Dirt Track Promising Up‑and‑Coming Driver Award.​
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Leighton’s 2025–2026 season marked a major step forward as he settled into Huntly Speedway, racing under 612H. The move quickly proved its value, with strong early results and his selection for the New Zealand Youth Ministock Team, who went on to defeat Australia. Across the season he continued to deliver on his successful rookie campaign, recording 11 wins, 23 podiums, 14 top‑five finishes, 21 top-ten finishes and 10 fastest race laps, along with Tier 1 qualifications at the Awapuni Ministock 100, Oceanview 5000, and Awapuni Ministock 1200. He secured top‑10 national results at both the Ministock 100 and Oceanview 5000, added a podiums at major championships including 2nd in the Waikato Champs, and claimed multiple honours at Huntly Speedway — including Driver of the Year, Highest Performing Male Driver, 1st Overall Season Points, 1st in Best Pairs, 1st in Features, 3rd in Heats and Best Presented Team. With growing confidence, racecraft, and consistency, Leighton continues to establish himself as a driver to watch.
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Early Life
At just 14 months old, Leighton was diagnosed with an extremely rare and complex heart condition: Coronary Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). The condition caused his heart to overwork and led to frequent blue spells. In June 2012, he underwent life‑saving heart surgery. Although medically cleared, he now lives with a 6mm coil permanently lodged in an artery connected to his heart.
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His heart journey inspired the creation of his racing persona, “The HeartstopperKID,” and his race number 612, representing June 2012 — the month of his operation.
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​Career
At age four, Leighton was one of two children selected to represent Starship Hospital in a promotional campaign with Barfoot & Thompson.
Recognizing his natural ease in front of the camera and his ability to follow direction, his mother signed him with a talent agent — and his acting career began.
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Motorsport Awards
2018 – Junior Dragster Beginner DYO Champion
2018 – Junior Dragster Beginner Heads‑Up Runner‑Up
2019 – Junior Dragster Beginner DYO Champion
2019 – 4 & Rotary Junior Dragster Runner‑Up
2020 – Comp Meet 5 Junior Dragster Runner‑Up
2022 – Comp 1 Best Prepared Junior Dragster
2023 – Comp Meet 5 Junior Dragster Runner‑Up
2023 – Crew Chief of the Year Award
2024 – Comp Meet 2 Junior Dragster Runner‑Up
2024 – Junior Dragster Extreme Comp DYO Runner‑Up
2025 – Future of Speedway Rookie Champion
2025 – Waikaraka Park Speedway Rookie of the Year
2025 – Waihi Promising Up‑and‑Coming Driver
2026 - Awapuni Ministock 100 finished Top 10 Tier 1 Seniors
2026 – Oceanview 5000 7th equal Tier 1 Seniors
2026 – Waikato Ministock Champs 2nd overall
2026 – Future of Speedway 5th overall & 1st Best Pairs
2026 – New Zealand Youth Ministock Team
2026 - Awapuni Ministock 1200 Group Top Qualifier Seniors
2026 - Huntly Speedway Driver of the Year
2026 - Huntly Speedway Highest Performing Male Driver
2026 - Huntly Speedway 1st Overall Season Points
2026 - Huntly Speedway 1st in Best Pairs
2026 - Huntly Speedway 1st in Features
2026 - Huntly Speedway 3rd in Heats
2026 - Huntly Speedway Best Presented Team