He's known globally for exploits in golf but Steve Williams also has another title in New Zealand – speedway royalty.
It’s been a lifelong passion of the former caddie to Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, starting when he was kid watching the likes of Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore at Te Marua Speedway before his own speedway career started in 1987.
Now, Williams is using that standing for the best possible cause by rounding up some of New Zealand motorsport's biggest names for a charity speedway event in Rotorua this Friday and Saturday.
Hayden Paddon, Greg Murphy, Richie Stanaway and other Kiwi motorsport identities will be taking part, despite being well out of their comfort zone in stockcars.
But it’s just their presence that has Williams excited.
“It means a lot,” Williams told 1News.
“These guys understand what it means when you’re a big figure like they are for charity. No one said ‘no’.
“We’ve got a list of guys waiting to get on the list and not only that – we have 12 car owners who have put their cars up.”
Another lining up this weekend is Andre Heimgartner, although he’s got a jump on the field after getting in some practice laps with Williams today.
“I sat in the car and did about 20 laps,” he said.
“Hopefully they don’t know I’ve been out here today and I get to fire out and be a lot better than them!”
Even despite his pedigree, Williams admitted he was a bit shaky behind the wheel too.
“I’ve driven every speedway car except the superstock and I was a little nervous driving today,” he said.
“When I got fitted, I got a little claustrophobic compared to the cars I usually drive in!”
It's expected to be a full house at Paradise Valley Speedway, with proceeds from ticket sales and livestreams all going to Starship Hospital and Ronald McDonald House – causes close to the Williams family thanks to their work with the Steve Williams Foundation.
The foundation initially raised money for junior golf and speedway work before changing its focus to sick children in 2007, which led to Williams and wife Kirsty being founding donors for the rebuild of the Oncology Unit at Starship Hospital.
“My wife and I we work closely with those charities,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great night on Saturday to hand over some big cheques… everyone is putting the effort to be here at a crazy time of the year. it’s great for everyone in the motorsport community to be charitable and come together for a good cause.”
Williams added the weekend has been a long time coming as well.
“The meeting originated three years ago – it was my last season at Speedway and you always try and promote the sport and I thought, ‘how could I make a difference in my last season and do something for charity and put a big speedway event on?’
“I had this idea to get celebrity drivers in superstocks, it’s a car few people get to driver and everyone here are legends in their own calibre but they’ve never driven a superstock so that’s how It came to be.
“Covid ruined the first edition and rain ruined the second edition so here we are, take three!”
Racing begins at 7pm on both nights with live streaming available for purchase here.
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