DriveNZ encompasses a diverse team of instructors with decades of experience across all realms from advanced driver training to professional motorsport, as well as first responders in the paramedic, fire & rescue sectors.
Richard Lester
Owner & Chief Instructor
Raised in a motorsport and motoring family, Richard was a national endurance driving champion (1986) in motorsports as well as runner up in the 1990 NZ grand prix for formula pacific cars , Richard raced single seaters, saloon cars and even trucks and started his own driver training business in 1987 – mostly contracting out his services in New Zealand, then later overseas in practical advanced driver training, mentoring, high performance driver coaching, running a very successful motorsport race team in NZ and Internationally(including the daytona 24hours and Le mans 24hours in 1996), and various vehicle product launches.
Richard was the head race driver training coach for the Malaysian Petronas corporation for a decade at the Sepang F1 circuit.
During this time he has worked closely with the likes of Ford, Holden, Mazda, Peugeot, Toyota, BMW and both the Shell and Petronas oil companies.
“We help every driver we work with to become safer and better on our roads, and that is our everyday motivation and reward.”
Passionate about helping all drivers to improve their skills, awareness and understanding of everyday driving in NZ is still the driving force of Richard’s motivation – even after 35 plus years.
Paul Foulds
Instructor
Paul has 12 years of active experience as an advanced driver trainer and performance driving coach with some race driver experience as well. He is also our specialist in working with younger drivers, and is passionate about helping the next generation learn the correct skills from day one.
Paul is also a very talented musician playing regular gigs in the Tauranga region
Damian Cunliffe
Instructor
Damian is currently active an frontline Fire & Rescue and has been for 13 years. He has spent nearly 2x decades as an advanced driver trainer and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and perspective to DriveNZ and significant Irish humour as well
Mike Rohloff
Instructor
Mike is a former National single seater race champion and race engineer with 20 years as an advanced driving instructor and key member of our team
Gavin Watson
Instructor
gavin has a long history in motoring and motorsports as both race school and advanced driving instructor and coach.Gavins younger days were spent as a crew member soaking up knowledge from one of our greats in motorsport(f1) and vehicle dynamics (toyota) Chris Amon…..
Steven Potter
Instructor
Steven (Spot) is a senior paramedic based out of Auckland with a 2x decades long history in motoring and motorsports as well as a keen motor cyclist and Motor cycle instructor …Spot has seen and done more than most in his career so far and has huge experience on two wheels as well as four…
