athlete introduction · athlete bio full name jonathan robert lester known as jono, “the...
TRANSCRIPT
ATHLE TE INTRODUCTION:
PROF ILE & RE SUME
FOREWORD: CHRIS AMON
Jono’s successes in many forms of motorsport prove that he is a driver with bundles of talent, determination and promise.
Drivers in this day and age must be tenacious, well rounded with unfathomable focus. These are all ingredients that I have seen Jono demonstrate as I’ve watched his career develop.
It is also very important to note that Jono takes an extremely pragmatic approach to his racing. GT drivers typically enjoy long careers with a far greater number of options available for them to realise career success compared to other niches in the motorsport, such as open wheel racing in Formula One.
Jono recognises this and thus he has chosen to focus right from the start of his career on GT endurance racing.
That focus is now rewarding Jono with the accolades and reputation he so richly deserves at the top of world motorsport.
I am proud to be a part of Jono’s career.
Chris Amon was a Kiwi F1 legend, driving for Ferrari from 1967-69, and winning the world’s most famous motor race in 1966, the Le Mans 24 Hour.
Chris Amon M.B.E.: 1943-2016
LESTER RACING HERITAGE
Over 30 years, Rob & Wendy Lester (grandparents) pioneered the contruction and ongoing management of the Manfeild circuit in Feilding, Manawatu; until they retired in 2003. In addition to his Presidency of the NZ Automobile Association (AA), Vice Presidency of MotorSport New Zealand, Member d’Honeur of St. John and awarding of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MBE), Rob was also a 3x time National racing champion and recipient of the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy.
Children Richard (father) and Debbie (aunt) were also National champion drivers, and each were recipients of the prestigious Steel Trophy for NZ’s top young driver - an honour which Jono also later received in 2007.
Richard’s international reputation as a driving coach and team manager were influential in the careers of Stephane Ortelli, Luciano Burti, Greg Murphy and countless other top Kiwi and overseas stars.
Richard also founded the famous Shell Scholarship programme for young New Zealand driving talents, and later in his career headed the PETRONAS driver development programme, out of Malaysia, for over a decade.
Jono Lester (age 2)
Richard Lester in Formula Atlantic
Rob Lester, NZ Champion at 59Rob Lester at Bay Park (1970s)
INTRODUCTION
My name is Jono Lester.
I am a proud Kiwi, from New Zealand, and the third generation of my family to race professionally following my grandfather, father and aunt before me.
Since 2003 (at age 13) I have been at the wheel, with GT3 experience spanning a decade since 2006, travelling the world driving with Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren and Lamborghini to name a few.
In recent years, I’ve made Asia my second home - and particularly Japan & China, where I am now forging a career in the illustrious Japanese Super GT Championship with the iconic Gulf Racing team, in addition to numerous other GTchampionships in the Asian region. I like keeping busy, so I compete in many different cars, teams and championships, totalling 20-30 race weekends per year.
You can check out more in the following pages, including a brief overview of my career to date and my plans for the future.
Pole position and victory at the famous Japanese circuit, Suzuka, driving a Lamborghini Huracan in the 2016 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series.
ATHLETE BIO
FULL NAME Jonathan Robert Lester
KNOWN AS Jono, “The Octopus”
D.O.B. 8th December, 1989 (age 27)
BORN IN Palmerston North, New Zealand
MEASUREMENT 176cm/75kg
INTERESTS Fitness, neuro performance, travel, animal welfare, driver safety, tech
GT PEDIGREE - 13 years of racing (11 of these in GT) - Experience & success with 5 GT3 cars: Porsche 991, Ferrari 458, McLaren 650S, Mercedes SLS AMG, Lamborghini Huracan
WORLDWIDE Japan, China, South East Asia, Middle East, Europe, Australia, New Zealand
AMBASSADOR CRC Automotive, Play Dead Car Care, Sony Action Cam, Vortex Racewear
FIA RATING Silver
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• 2017 Gulf Racing Porsche Lead Driver - Super GT• 2016 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia - 2nd O/all• 2015 Australian GT Pole Position Record (5 of 7)• 2012 & 2013 Super Taikyu Japan - 2nd Overall• 2013 New Zealand Endurance Champion• 2011 Team NZ Driver World Time Attack Final• 2010 Porsche Factory Junior Scholarship• 2009 Porsche Endurance Trophy Winner x2• 2008 The President’s Scholarship• World’s Youngest Porsche Cups Winner (17)• 2007 Steel Trophy (NZ’s top young driver)• 2007 Elite Motorsport Academy Graduate• 3x New Zealand Time Attack Champion
CAREER STATISTICSStarts: 252 Championships: 2Wins: 24 Podiums: 87Poles: 30 Fastest Laps: 28
2017 RACE PROGRAMMES
OD RACING // MCLAREN 650S GT3
JR MOTORSPORTS CLUB // PORSCHE 991 GT3-R
GULF RACING // PORSCHE 991 GT3-R
