Ayrton Hodson, the talented Sprintcar driver hailing from Baypark Speedway, has been making a name for himself in the world of motorsport this year. His journey from Ministock racing to the high-speed world of Sprintcars has been nothing short of remarkable.
Starting his racing career in the Ministock division, Hodson quickly showcased his skill and speed, eventually transitioning to the Six Shooter class. However, it was a pivotal moment when he had the opportunity to pilot the Bayspeed Sprintcar owned by Colin Entwisle that ignited his passion for Sprintcar horsepower.
During the previous season, with the guidance of his father, Paul, and the expertise of Sprintcar legend Skinny Colson, Ayrton proved himself on the clay track. While his initial foray into Sprintcar racing had some bumps, by the midway point of the season, he was not only keeping up with the best but also overtaking them.
Simultaneously, Ayrton competed in the Toyota 86 series, racing on renowned tracks like Manfield and Hampton Downs. After a significant accident at Manfield, a dedicated group of supporters worked tirelessly to get him back on the track for Hampton.
Reflecting on this challenging journey, Ayrton shared his thoughts on his racing Facebook page, saying, “We entered the championship at the 12th hour and when we headed to round one at Highlands we’d completed only two test days at Hampton and had never set foot on any other track in the series. We brought the term ‘rookie’ to an all-new level, but with the help of many, we are feeling really confident about the future.”
Ayrton’s accomplishments didn’t stop there. He entered the North Island Endurance Championship winning both the Hampton Downs and Taupo rounds in a BMW Z4 and secured the North Island Endurance title for Class 4 and 5 with co-driver and ex Speedway driver Brett Sullivan.
His talent and dedication earned him a spot in the 2023 Elite Motorsport Academy of New Zealand, which brings together eight promising young racers from various motorsport disciplines across the country. Ayrton, at just 18 years old, represented Katikati proudly and considered it a significant milestone in his career. As part of the Academy Ayrton now works with a host of experts in various fields for the next 12 months to further develop his all-round skills in media, fitness and nutrition etc.
In August, Ayrton bid farewell to the Toyota and announced his transition to Porsche for the 23/24 season. He showcased his prowess at Euromarque Motorsport Park during the South Island Endurance Series, consistently ranking in the top 6 in the Porsche and extending his and Brett Sullivans lead in the National Endurance Series for Class 4/5 cars. His debut in the Porsche resulted in an impressive 2nd place finish against a field of later model superior vehicles, marking a remarkable achievement for the young driver who has proven his willingness to put in the hard work to achieve his ultimate goals.
Fortunately for fans, Ayrton will be returning to Baypark Speedway this season to compete in Sprintcars. On opening night, fans will have the unique opportunity to meet Ayrton and see both his Sprintcar and the Porsche 911.1 up close. It’s a chance to get to know the name of this rising star who is poised to become a superstar in the motorsport world. Ayrton Hodson’s journey from Ministock racing to Sprintcars and his recent successes in various racing series highlight his immense talent and dedication to his craft. Motorsport enthusiasts can expect great things from this young driver in the near future.
