New Zealand
1News

Watch: Meet the 91-year-old grandmother with a need for speed

February 2, 2019

Seven Sharp’s Michael Holland was in the Coromandel where he met the lady who lives her life in the fast lane. (Source: Other)

Convoys of petrol-heads are winding their way to beautiful Hahei on the Coromandel for the annual Leadfoot Festival where all sorts of machines race up a long driveway.

Leadfoot started eight years ago as a 60th birthday celebration for motorsport legend Rod Millen.

Amid the diehards this year is someone you might not expect to find.

A 91-year-old speed queen called Shirley whose grandson is taking her for the ride of her life.

Seven Sharp’s Michael Holland went to meet the lady who lives her life in the fast lane, in the video above.

New Zealand

SHARE ME

More Stories

A breakdown stranded TranzAlpine passengers in tunnel for over an hour on Saturday.

Breakdown strands TranzAlpine passengers in tunnel for over an hour

Transport accident investigators have urged all passengers on board to come forward as they gather evidence from Saturday's incident.

24 mins ago

Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to the fire on Maungakawa Rd at around 8.40pm on Saturday.

Vegetation fire threatens house and shed on Cambridge outskirts

Fire crews from three Waikato towns spent several hours battling a blaze on Maungakawa Rd on Saturday night.

7:03am

Lotto tickets.

Two Kiwis win $200k each as $28m Powerball jackpot looms

Nine winners from across the country will share more than $1.4 million in Saturday's Lotto draw, with a $28 million jackpot up for grabs on Wednesday.

6:07am

Qiulae Wong reveals her strategy to break the 5% ceiling and why she thinks New Zealander is ready for a political shake-up.

'I chickened out': The biggest hurdle facing the Opportunity Party

Qiulae Wong reveals her strategy to break the 5% ceiling and why she thinks New Zealand is ready for a political shake-up.

6:00am

Fire and Emergency NZ have already seen an increase of call-outs.

Increased risk of house fires over winter, FENZ says

The number of house fires have risen in recent times, which Fire and Emergency New Zealand says is due to additional heating measures during the colder months.

7:00pm

2:26

Bus fares rose from February 1, drawing mixed responses. (Source: Auckland Transport)

Fuel, parking, cost of living: why Aucklanders are choosing the bus

Patronage has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with cost-of-living pressures, rising fuel costs and a 35% surge in student travel driving Aucklanders back onto public transport.

6:43pm

2:21

Latest

Popular

24 mins ago

Breakdown strands TranzAlpine passengers in tunnel for over an hour

A breakdown stranded TranzAlpine passengers in tunnel for over an hour on Saturday.

7:40am

Trump’s physician says the president is 'fully fit' to serve

US President Trump has passed his 'six-month physical' amid dementia concerns.

7:13am

PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to defend Champions League title

PSG's Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring from a penalty kick during the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary.

7:03am

Vegetation fire threatens house and shed on Cambridge outskirts

Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to the fire on Maungakawa Rd at around 8.40pm on Saturday.

6:43am

Rescuers free four men who had been trapped in flooded Laos cave

Rescuers after they safely evacuated the villagers, who had been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos.

6:22am

US says it disabled ship trying to breach blockade and reach Iran

An Emirati patrol boat, left, is near a tanker anchored in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from a coastal road near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Friday, May 1, 2026.
1
2
3
4
5
6

More from Entertainment

Jeremy Clarkson was shown in a hospital bed during the latest season of Clarkson's Farm.

Clarkson’s Farm’s Jeremy Clarkson was ‘days’ away from dying

The UK broadcaster and TV personality said he survived the close-shave thanks to scrolling on his phone, and stated if it wasn't for this he wouldn’t have noticed the signs.

3:31pm

Celebrity Tipping Point host Daniel Faitaua.

Celebrity Tipping Point NZ drops into primetime with Christchurch special

Host Daniel Faitaua says the giant coin-pusher machine has a mind of its own as Kiwi celebrities compete for charity cash in the local version of the hit format.

Sat, May 30

Prime Minister, a documentary about Jacinda Ardern's life as the leader of NZ, has won an Emmy.

Jacinda Ardern documentary wins Emmy Award

Friday 5:22pm

Dame Lynda Topp at the Aotearoa Music Awards.

Dame Lynda Topp blasts Government in awards show speech

Friday 8:16am

Nix Adams won Celebrity Treasure Island 2026.

'Struggle after struggle': Celebrity Treasure Island 2026 winner

Thu, May 28