Tearing around Hampton Downs at speeds of 240km/h is enough to make anyone's heart race but for 18-year-old Kaden Probst, it's a sensation that truly makes him appreciate life.
That's because, when he was six, Probst became the youngest-ever recipient of a heart transplant in New Zealand.
"I was born with a hole in my heart and quite a few other issues as well so that was a difficult start," Probst told 1News.
"[The] transplant helped me massively and I’ve got back on track since then – full fitness and everything.
"It’s allowed me to start my racing career which I’ve wanted to do since even before then so it’s been a great help."
Probts’ passion spawned from a fateful night at Western Springs Speedway with his father when he was just four but it wasn’t until he was seven having made a full recovery that he got to get a taste for racing in the karting scene.
From there, things progressed as fast as he was.
Success in the Cadet and Mini-rok classes, multiple club championships and a runner up at the National Championships all helped accelerate his dream.
That led to the biggest opportunity of his life in 2018 when he and his family went to Europe to continue his development.
"I competed in world champs, Euro champs, German champs over there," he recalled.
"But it was tough without financial backing to compete with the big guys but we did a good job considering."
Having his family’s support not lost on him either.
"It started off in New Zealand — just my dad and I working on the kart and they’ve been so supportive my whole career.
“It’s been really amazing to be honest.”
In December 2022, Probst had a chance to return to New Zealand for the Formula Open New Zealand Championship racing in the Toyota FT-50s – the single-seater model formerly used in the Toyota Racing Series.
The move proved to be a good one, with multiple wins, podiums and a pole position throughout the season eventually earning him fourth in the Graeme Lawrence Cup as well as Rookie of the Year honours.
It also led to mentorship under New Zealand motorsport legend Ken Smith, who then introduced Probst to Bruin Beasley – team principal of MTEC Motorsport with over 20 years of experience in the sport – and a spot in the FIA-certified Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
Despite the calibre of competition, Beasley has been impressed with Probst’s progression.
“He’s a local kid with minimal experience up against all these European guys who've done thousands of laps, so he’s doing a good job,” Beasley said.
“It’s a big step up and it’s been good. He’s been fast, willing to learn and he’s part of the team now.”
Beasley added Probst’s work off the track is also noticeable.
“He’s really focused on being the best he can and is probably one of the most hungry kids I’ve worked with and that’s good – you need hunger, passion and he’s really wanting to do it.”
There’s two rounds left in the Oceania Championship before Probst will have to again weigh up his options but he already has a few in mind.
“Looking towards the future, maybe a Formula Regional Americas attempt – that’s the next step or maybe even going back to Europe eventually with more experience,” Probst said.
“But ultimately I’d really loved to get into Formula 1, IndyCar, World Endurance Champs things like that would be an absolute dream.”
And with fellow Kiwi drivers such as Liam Lawson, Scott McLaughlin and Formula E drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy proving that path is there from New Zealand, Probst has every belief he can get it done.
“It’s crazy – for a small country, we really do push above our weight,” Probst added.
“They're great inspirations for me and to see the heights they've achieved… they made the dream a reality.”
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