Johnny Greaves and his family made Mercury Bay their full-time home in 1967 when he was just two years old. His parents established Mercury Bay Ready Mix, a towing and contracting business that became a staple in the community.
Johnny attended Mercury Bay Primary School, then spent a short time at the Area School before heading to St Peter’s in Cambridge. He returned to Mercury Bay Area School for his University Entrance year in 1982 before diving straight into the world of high-performance engineering. His first job, at Paton & Black Speed & Marine in Morrinsville, was a dream come true, but it was only the beginning of his motorsport-driven career.
By 1987, Johnny had landed in Sydney and entered real estate, but his heart remained in the fast lane. His love for speed propelled him into the world of auto racing, where he worked alongside the sons of legends like Peter Brock (son James), Larry Perkin’s son (Jack) and some of today’s V8 Supercar drivers, establishing a reputation as a high-performance coach.
His expertise led him to collaborate with top-tier brands such as Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, AMG Mercedes , Bentley and many more exotics, contributing to the success of many ‘Gentleman Racers’ and drivers going on to win championships.
Johnny’s engineering and sales skills saw him involved in many competitive racing projects in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere, from GT & touring cars to single seater Formula in UK & Europe. His technical coaching knowledge became highly sought after in elite racing circles and motorsport schools. As did his ability to bring real estate deals together in Sydney.
Despite this international success, Johnny’s roots in Mercury Bay remain strong. He fondly recalls summers spent watching powerboat races, schoolyard bullrush games, and the excitement of game fishing boats unloading their sharks at the wharf. His family’s business even played a role in shaping the town, pouring footpaths that replaced the grassy tracks he ran barefoot as a kid.
To this day, he maintains a deep connection with the place that first ignited his love for speed, often returning to reconnect with friends, family, and the waters that once fuelled his childhood imagination.
While still involved in motorsport and real estate, Johnny now shares his expertise through consulting and mentoring young engineers and racers. His influence continues to shape the next generation of high-performance specialists, proving that even from the quiet shores of Mercury Bay, one can make waves on the world stage.
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