He has won almost every Superstock title in New Zealand, but Wayne Hemi isn't slowing down just yet. This weekend Hemi returns to the World 240 Championships in Rotorua to compete for the title he once held over 10 years ago.
Wayne Hemi has lived life in the fast lane.
"I've been racing for probably 30 years and I still has as much passion today as I did back then" says Hemi.
Hemi is one of the top superstock racers in New Zealand and biggest contenders at the World 240 champs. His RedWaka are fast, loud and very expensive.
"Back in the day I ended up wanting to buy a stock car because I wanted to be a driver racer and a really competitive car was only $10k and that was a lot of money" says Hemi. "We mucked around down the back for five or ten years getting nowhere but we still enjoyed it and we made a lot of friends along the way and started our business up and we were quite lucky to have a good business."
Based on the Gold Coast the highly successful business-owner travels back and forth across the Tasman regularly for competition. Last year, Hemi took out the prestigious Manawatū title. “We've won a lot of titles and we've had a lot of fun and I still enjoy doing it and the secret is just love doing what you do and do it properly and putting in 100%.”
It's just as much a lifestyle for his family. His son Jamie is also following in his dad's tracks, as well as family friend Jordan Dare, now No.3 in the country.
"Hopefully in a couple years' time I'll make the finals and get No.1 in New Zealand" says Jamie.
Te Whānau a Apanui racer Dare says “I was number two last year. Dropped a place this year to third so one spot left to get, the No.1 -which Wayne got back in 2004. So he's already ticked that one off, it's mine turn now.”
Hemi, Jamie and Jordan will compete against over 70 other top racers at Paradise Valley.