ABOUT LEIGHTON
Leighton Leevard is a fifteen‑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.
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.
For the 2025–2026 season, Leighton moved from Waikaraka Park to Huntly Speedway, where he now races under 612H. The transition has already proven to be a strong step forward, with a successful start at his new home track and his selection for the 2026 New Zealand Youth Ministock Team. His consistency, confidence, and rapidly developing skillset continue to establish him as a driver to watch.
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.
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.
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.
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 – 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