Introducing Thomas "THOMO" Boniface.....
Thomo was born in New Plymouth, Taranaki in 2004.
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He began competing in the KartSport NZ Cadet Raket class at 6 years old driving Kiwi Kart chassis #196 (now retired in the workshop) for four years as a Cadet.
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Thomas moved to the Vortex Mini ROK class, driving a factory-backed Sodi Nordica chassis. After switching to a Tony Kart Nordix chassis, another National title came his way.
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At 12 years of age, Thomas began circuit racing and continues to use karting as a way to keep race-fit driving in the ClubSport 120 class at KartSport Taranaki.
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He is a passionate motorsport enthusiast and has his sights firmly set on a career in motorsport and IndyCar racing in the USA.
He is known for an aggressive style and wearing his heart on his sleeve while competing. Outside of the race track, he is a dedicated brand ambassador.
Thomo works hard to be a positive role model to younger drivers by promoting physical activity, fairplay, and building a legacy people will remember him for.
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Thomas has competed at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (California), Blyton Park Driving Centre (England), Oakleigh Go Kart Club (Melbourne), KartSport Auckland, Pukekohe Park Raceway, KartSport Mt. Wellington, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, KartSport Hamilton, KartSport Bay of Plenty, KartSport Eastern Bay of Plenty, KartSport Rotorua, Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, KartSport ​Taranaki, Stratford Speedway, KartSport Hawkes Bay, Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, KartSport Manawatu, KartSport Wellington, KartSport Marlborough, KartSport Canterbury, KartSport Dunedin and Teretonga Raceway tracks to date.
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In September 2020, Thomas was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident and was hospitalised in a coma. After 73 days he emerged from the coma and began some intensive rehabilitation from his Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The start point was learning to eat, talk and walk again. Having re-mastered these tasks, Thomas set about the physical training and conditioning required to allow him to return to racing. His only focus from the moment he regained consciousness was to get back to his racing career and his dream of becoming a professional racecar driver. This dream is now about to shift another gear, as he focusses on a return to the track as soon as possible.
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A link to an article on his amazing recovery is here
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So many incredible people have assisted Thomas on his recovery journey, and we are indebted to them forever.
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Prior to this life-changing injury and his 10 years of motorsport Thomas has achieved the following:
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Circuit Racing
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2019/20 NZ Formula Ford Championship
(5th overall, 2nd Rookie)
2 x Pole Positions
3 x Race wins
7 x Podiums
1 x Round win (Rd 2 Championship, Manfeild)
1 x Winter Series Round win (Manfeild, July 2020)
Fastest lap at Manfeild (1:12.009s)
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2018/19 NZ Formula First Championship
(7th overall, 2nd Rookie)
1 x Pole Position
1 x Race win
4 x Podiums
Most Improved Driver, Rd 2 2018/19 NZ Formula First Championship
NZ Formula First 1Hr Enduro winner, first dual driving combination to win this race
Rookie title and 2nd overall in 2018 FAE Formula First Winter Series
3 x Pole positions in 2018 FAE Formula First Winter Series as a Rookie
9 x Podium finishes in 2018 FAE Formula First Winter Series as a Rookie
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Other Achievements
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3rd placed graduate of 2019 NZ Motorsport Elite Academy
Graduate of Allen Berg Racing Schools driving programme, Laguna Seca, USA 2017
Yr 9 Junior Sportsman of the Year, New Plymouth Boys’ High School (Brad Bennett trophy)
Nominated for Taranaki Junior Sportsman of the Year 2017
Finalist at Ginetta Junior Scholarship, Blyton Park Driving Centre, England 2017
Runner-up 2016 Speedsport Scholarship
Qualified for 2016 Youth Ministock Speedway Spectacular on debut
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2016 to 18 Team Kiwi Racing Development Academy Driver
2 x Race wins BMW Race Driver Series 2017
2nd overall 2017 Rd2 BMW Race Driver Series
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Karting - National and International
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2016 KartSport New Zealand Schools (NS) Champion (Vortex Mini ROK)
2015/16 WPKA Goldstar Grand Prix Series Champion (Vortex Mini ROK)
2014 Cadet Final Champion, Victoria Top Guns, Melbourne, Australia
5th overall 2014 Victoria Top Guns, Melbourne, Australia
2014 International Kart Supplies 3-Way Series Champion (Cadet)
2014 New Zealand Champion (Cadet)
2013 CIK Trophy of New Zealand Champion (Cadet)
2013 KartSport New Zealand Schools (NS) Champion (Cadet)
2012/13 WPKA Goldstar Grand Prix Series Champion (Cadet)
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Runner-Up 2014 KartSport New Zealand Schools Championships (Cadet Raket)
Runner-Up 2014 KartSport New Zealand Schools Championships (Cadet ROK)
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3rd on track 2014 Victoria Open State Championships, Australia (DQ - technical)
3NZ 2013 KartSport New Zealand Sprint Championships (Cadet)
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Karting - Domestic
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2013, 2014 KartSport Taranaki Club Champion (Cadet)
2015, 2016 KartSport Taranaki Club Champion (Vortex Mini ROK)
2017, 2018 KartSport Taranaki Club Champion (Rotax Max Junior)
2019 KartSport Taranaki Club Champion (ClubSport 120)
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 KartSport Taranaki Summer Series Champion
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 KartSport Taranaki Winter Series Champion
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 KartSport Taranaki Grand Prix Champion
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 KartSport Taranaki Enduro Champion
2011 KartSport Taranaki Most Improved Cadet Driver
Current holder of two track records at Todd Energy Raceway
