Zeb Walker probably couldn't have thought of a better 21st birthday present but being named the Motor Trade Association 2012 Apprentice of the Year might well have been right up there.
Mr Walker had not long completed his motor mechanic's apprenticeship but he beat three contenders for the New Zealand title at the finals in Wellington on September 8.
He collected a raft of prizes for his win but none would be as important as the phone call he got from Kiwi V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy.
Not only did "Murph" tell Mr Walker he was the winner but he also told him that meant he would be part of the Greg Murphy Racing (GRM) pit-crew in the V8 Development Series at the Sydney Telstra 500 at the end of November.
The 21-year-old admits to being a bit of a petrolhead and being involved in motorsport had long been an ambition.