Elton Goonan:

Elton is one of New Zealand’s most experienced drivers with a racing career spanning nearly 15 years, and now works full-time as a race driver and instructor.

Elton started racing in 1991 in New Zealand in 125cc motorcross at the age of 15. Elton competed in motorcross for 3 years when his interest in the 4 wheeled version of motor-racing took over.

The next thing to do was to move on and Europe offered the best chance, following in the footsteps of the likes of Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon in taking on the best the world could offer. England is seen as one of the most competitive motorsport countries in the world.

So 1996, Elton took the plunge to move to Europe, basing himself in the UK. He spent the first 2 years working on raising money to compete Formula Ford. In 1999, after raising the funds he entered into the British SuperClassic Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Elton finished 5th in the British Championships.

Around this time, Elton began a career as a racing instructor. Doing various jobs ranging from launching new car models to teaching novice drivers around the country. Along the way gaining the respect from colleagues and becoming a senior instructor at Palmersport, Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. All where he still works at the moment.

From there, Elton moved onto F3, competing in selected rounds of the 2000 ARP F3 Championship. Competing in a 10 year old car, Elton's best result was 11th overall and 4th in class at Brands Hatch.

Soon though after a few more outings in single-seaters the Kiwi inside him called and the lure of a V8 couldn't be resisted. A chance meeting with a colleague netted a opportunity to drive the Marcos Mantis in the new-for-2002 Willhire 6 Hour Endurance race. This outing netted Elton and TopCat Racing with their first ever pole position (by 1.5seconds!), 3rd overall and a class win! This gave Elton the confidence he needed in his first ever endurance race.

Elton was fast building up a reputation as a fast, solid driver who can get results and still be able to bring the car home.

At the end of 2002, Elton took a opportunity to drive the newest Nissan, the 350Z in the Bathurst 24 Hour race. Where, up until the 22nd hour they where placed to finish in the top 10. But hopes were dashed when they where knocked into the wall and ruled out of a finish with a damaged car. 

With a outing in a RoadSport Caterham netting 2 poles and 2 first places being the only outing in 2003 for Elton as he works to put in place a package to compete in the Swedish Touring Car Championship for 2008.

"It would be a dream come true to race in a top line Touring Car Championship ." enthused Elton.