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The Leadfoot Festival is a unique weekend bringing together a mix of classic cars, vintage motorcycles and motorsport legends. Tickets are offered to the general public with an invitation to Rod and Shelly Millen’s private grounds at Leadfoot Ranch. The 150 acre, ocean-front estate in Hahei on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula features a long driveway that winds through the property designed to be the perfect hill climb. Guests are given one of a kind experiences featuring unparalleled access to the competitors, pits and race vehicles. The Leadfoot Festival is designed for men and women, boys and girls. Visitors dress in period style clothing to step back in time making the Leadfoot Festival an incredible family experience and a true celebration of motorsports and all things automotive.

The selection of machinery on Leadfoot Ranch will include a spectacular array of some the world’s finest competition cars and motorcycles. From classic formula and road race cars to off-road machines and vintage motorcycles, the Leadfoot Festival attracts competitors and race cars reminiscent of many eras in an enthusiastic display of speed, style, sound, smell and colour.

Rod Millen personally hand selects championship racers from around the world to receive the coveted invitation to participate in the Leadfoot Festival. A collection of static celebrated vintage cars and bikes will line areas of the paddocks to complete the weekend.

Visitor Testimonials

  • “What a stunning weekend, we have been buzzing all week and reliving different aspects of the time we spent at the Leadfoot Ranch. What you are doing is just so special and shows off motorsport in such a cool way…and in a way that enables our families to share the fun.”

    Michael & Ineke Sexton
  • “It was great to be a part of the event and to celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini as part of the Leadfoot Festival. The Lamborghini owners that attended had a great time and loved the array of vehicles that were competing over the weekend. We had a lot of interest in the cars over the 3 days and they all enjoyed the lunchtime parade up the hill. I wish you all the best for next year’s event and hope that we may be able to offer support in some form again next year.”

    Greg Brinck
    General Manager, Lamborghini Auckland
  • “Ken and I would like to thank you for your wonderful hospitality over the Leadfoot weekend….The track was amazing and the cars and bikes were spectacular to watch, and having such a varied array of machinery catered for all interests. Would you please pass thanks to Katie one of the catering girls who was exceptionally helpful and Jason the marshal who was helping with the motorcycle pit area”.

    Judy & Ken Campbell
  • “Anne and I would just like to say a special thank you to you Shelly and Rod for putting on such a marvellous weekend of Motor Racing and Hospitality supreme. One of the features of the event was the wide range of racing vehicles from Anne Thompson’s Delage to the Ferrari’s, the Off Roader’s and Motor Cycles plus of course that very quick Toyota Celica”.

    Donald & Anne Suckling
  • Hi! I am writing as the wife of a wildly obsessed motor sport fan! Now, I have been to many many motor sport events over the last 22 years, and mostly genuinely enjoyed them. However, never have I had such a fantastically thrilling day as what I experienced at Leadfoot! My husband had been longing to go since Leadfoot began and finally this year we got there! I cant point out a part that I loved the best, because every aspect really thrilled me. From how welcoming the car park staff were, through to ticketing and gates, then this world of happy, like minded people, who were excited to soak up this incredible atmosphere along side us. I have not been to an event where EVERYONE was so darn friendly and genuinely thrilled to be a part of this event. Where else could you see what we saw that weekend?? It was just so so exciting! My husband said it was the first time that he had to wait for ME to leave at the end of the day! We have a dear friend who has been unwell for a very long time who would just love to attend, and we are currently working with friends to try to get both him and his wife there for next years event..... it will knock his socks off!!!! Thank you so much for your time and keep up the incredible work! Regards Mrs Giselle Denton
  • Hello Shelly and Rod, Just a note to say Thank you both for a fantastic weekend at the Leadfoot Festival 2017. Congratulations on a wonderful weekend. There would have been a lot of time and organisation go into the logistics of running such an event. (which just seemed to happen) From the time we arrived on Friday, all the volunteers were so friendly and helpful and Shelly, you just seemed to be everywhere! We all thoroughly enjoyed everything. From the Friday night at the Barn, The RACING, right through to a meal at the Ranch Saloon on Sunday night. Layton felt very privileged to have been invited to participate with his little car in the fantastic event on your beautiful property. It was extra special being able to stay the weekend in our Motorhome on site. The family had a lovely time after each day at Hot Water Beach camp. We have had Gina Campbell staying with us for a few days and she was very interested to learn that Rod now owns "THE DARRACQ" that her Grandfather Malcolm owned and raced, starting off the name of "BLUEBIRD". I think Gina will be back in N.Z. next year around Leadfoot Festival time and I'm sure she would love to see the old car if time permits. Once again Many Thanks for a truly memorable weekend. Kind regards, Vena Hammond
  • Hi Shelly and Rod, Just a quickie to say a big thanks for having us at your place for Leadfoot. Of the 100's of motorsport events we have competed in yours stands out as a very special occasion having a brilliant atmosphere and a unique driving challenge. With our very best wishes, Team Fraserracing142
  • Rod and Shelly Thanks for another magnificent Leadfoot festival,and speaking to quite a few first time spectators they thoroughly enjoyed it also,and are making plans for next year.I personally appreciate the way you treat the drivers as in most other events you pay the entry fee and are then promptly forgotten about.Once again thanks and congratulations for a world class event. ROGER GREANEY