Leitch (20), a promising race driver from Cromwell, has been invited to a massive opportunity next week - test driving at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the high-profile Newman Wachs Racing team on the road course previously used for the Formula One United States Grand Prix.
The opportunity was organised by Garry Orton, of Victory Motor Racing, the team Leitch has represented in the Toyota Racing Series for the past three years.
"Garry has contacts in the US and spent time in the States working on the successful Project 64 Mini at Bonneville this year,'' Leitch said.
"He said to me he would look into getting something for me. But he didn't tell me it was something like this. It is very, very rare to get an opportunity like this. I was pretty shocked to find out about it. Then I had to bite my tongue for the next few weeks before it was confirmed and made public.''
The Newman Wachs team is a highly regarded American outfit, owned by Eddie Wachs and, until his death, American actor and racer Paul Newman.
Leitch has been promised four 40-minute sessions on track in the car on October 8-9.
"That will give me time to go over the car with the team and give the team my feedback.
"It is a huge achievement just to get a test. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It could potentially lead to a drive next year or nothing may come of it. I will go there with an open mind and see where it leads.''
The car will be the more or less the same as the one he raced for the past three years in the Toyota Racing Series - although it will have a bit less downforce than the car he races in New Zealand.
Leitch, an apprentice mechanic at Highlands Motor Sport Park, said his employer had been great in letting him have the time off.
He got into driving through his dad, Barry, and then followed in the footsteps of older brother Damon - named after former Formula One world champion Damon Hill - who also drove cars.
After finishing in the top three of the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship two years in succession, he moved into the Toyota Racing Series three seasons ago. Competing against race-hardened international drivers with minimal preparation each year he has won two races in the series - one in the 2015 season and one this year.
He was third overall in the series points this year and was the only New Zealander to win a race.
"I've spent three years learning my race craft, going up against the best young drivers in the world who come down here to learn.''
