ABOUT LEIGHTON
Leighton Leevard is a fifteen‑year‑old junior dragster racer, speedway driver, actor, and ambassador from Auckland. He has been acting since age four, racing junior dragsters since the age of seven, and more recently commenced speedway racing at age fourteen. Leighton has been public speaking from a young age and has appeared in numerous adverts, interviews, and films. His most notable achievement in the entertainment world to date is working 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.
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Early 2025 Leighton had the opportunity to have a go in a ministock for the first time. After a successful trial, he was instantly hooked and expanded his motorsport career and raced a ministock out of Waikaraka Park Speedway for the 2024–2025 season, alongside his ongoing junior dragster racing. His rookie year was highlighted by several standout achievements, including being named Waikaraka Park Rookie of the Year, earning the title of Future of Speedway Rookie Champion, and receiving the Promising Up‑and‑Coming Driver Award from Waihi.
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For the 2025–2026 season, Leighton has made the move from Waikaraka Park to Huntly Speedway, where he now races under 612H. The transition has already proven to be a strong step forward, with the season kicking off to a successful start both at his new home track in Huntly and while travelling to other SNZ tracks around the country. His consistency, confidence, and growing skillset continue to show that he’s rapidly becoming 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). This caused his heart to overwork and led to frequent blue spells. In June 2012, he underwent heart surgery to correct the condition. He was later discharged and declared medically fit, although 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 life‑saving 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.
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Recognising his natural ease in front of the camera and his ability to follow direction, Leighton’s mother signed him with a talent agent — and a star was born.
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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