Motorsport in New Zealand is firing on all cylinders, from the top tier right through to the grassroots.

Now, a new partnership between Kiwi-owned Rodin Motorsport and the national governing body is aiming to smooth the road for young drivers hoping to one day make it to the top in Formula 1.

At the centre of the initiative is 17-year-old Blake Dowdall, who is this year’s New Zealand Formula Ford champion, and has been given the opportunity to test with Rodin Motorsport in the UK.

“Honestly, oh, it means a lot to go there,” Dowdall said. “Pressure is a privilege and, man, I’m looking forward to it.”

Dowdall is heading to the Pembrey Circuit in Wales where he’ll drive one of Rodin Motorsport’s Spanish Formula 4 cars, marking a significant step in his dream of one day making it to F1.

The UK test is the result of a newly-created programme, “Formula Ford to Formula 1, powered by Rodin Cars”, launched this year by Rodin Motorsport in partnership with Motorsport New Zealand.

Each year, the Formula Ford champion and other selected drivers are invited to Rodin’s Mt Lyford base in Canterbury for a comprehensive test programme, including time in Formula 4 and Formula 3 cars, with the potential to be selected for further testing abroad.

Rodin’s founder, tech entrepreneur David Dicker, says it’s about uncovering New Zealand’s next generation of motorsport talent.

“We need some way of identifying talent and the Formula Ford is by far the strongest entry category in New Zealand so that’s where you’ve got to look to find potential,” he said.

“We don’t restrict ourselves to just the winner because we tested two guys this year. We bring them to our place and we bring over Mark who is our driver coach/expert, he runs them through the cars and basically evaluates them. In Blake’s case, I thought we should test with him in the UK and then they will be able to give him a much clearer idea of where the potential is.”

Dowdall, who was also selected for the week-long Motorsport Academy in Dunedin, said the opportunity was huge.

“Massive respect to Rodin, this pathway has helped raise the profile of motorsport in New Zealand,” he said.

The Motorsport Academy, which ran annually, aimed to develop the country’s most promising drivers beyond the race car, building skills in strength, mindset, nutrition, sponsorship, and performance.

“Essentially, what we are doing is looking for their weaknesses,” said Motorsport New Zealand president Deborah Day.

“We know they are great in cars — we’ve got that bit covered. We’re not trying to teach them how to drive, we’re trying to teach them how to be, outside of the car, and understand values sponsors are looking for,” said Day.

“If you consider how much it has cost Liam [Lawson] to get to Formula 1. We’re all looking at that and, without someone like David [Dicker] backing them, there is no opportunity that would come.”

The Rodin programme also included $20,000 scholarships for engineering students, delivered in partnership with the University of Canterbury.

“If they can see it, they can be it,” said Day.

Dicker, who was instrumental in supporting Kiwi F1 driver Liam Lawson’s rise, said the goal was simple.

“It just seems like the right thing to do and, obviously, I can afford it. We should do it because it’s important,” he said. “My only interest in it is if we can find someone to get to Formula 1 and we will continue with it as long as we can.”