Academy 27

Motorsport Instructors

Meet the coaching team behind Area 27 driver development, private instruction, off-road training, and on-track member support.

Maxx Ebenal

Chief Instructor

Maxx Ebenal

  • Over 17 years of motorsport experience
  • Multiple race wins, podiums, and pole positions in Formula Renault, FIA F4, Touring Car, and GT3 series
  • Competed and coached in top series including Asian Formula Renault, China FIA F4, Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific, and Asian Le Mans Series
  • Extensive experience with GT, touring, and formula cars including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi
  • Skilled in data acquisition systems such as AIM, Cosworth Pi, and Motec
  • Worked with leading teams across Asia and North America
  • Proven track record with over 50% podium finishes as a driver
  • Experience on 50+ circuits worldwide

Track Instructors

Senior coaching team
Stefan Rzadzinski

Senior Instructor

Stefan Rzadzinski

  • Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY
  • International GT3 Racing
  • Porsche Cup Canada
  • 2017 Race of Champions race winner
  • IMSA LMP3 podium finisher
  • Besides active in car racing, Stefan does karting, private coaching in cars and karts
  • 2023 Porsche North America Cup competitor
Zac Zawisza

Instructor

Zac Zawisza

  • Broke track record for the series at Laguna Seca in first career road race
  • 1 win and 2 podiums in 5 starts of Skip Barber Challenge
  • 3 wins, 5 podiums, 2 track records in a limited conference season in a Porsche 911
Kees Nierop

Motorsports Consultant

Kees Nierop

  • Chief Instructor at Area 27 from 2017-2024
  • Winner of the legendary Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance race
  • Porsche factory driver at the 1987 LeMans 24hr and Daytona
  • Canadian GT-1 Champion
  • Rothmans Porsche 944 Champion
  • The only Canadian to have his name on a Porsche factory race car displayed in the new Porsche Museum in Germany
  • In his 48th year of active motorsports, racing, coaching and facilitating
  • Active today in historic car racing
  • Race steward at Area 27
Pat Hall

Instructor

Pat Hall

  • Focused on off-road driving since 1985
  • Road Race licence 2017
  • Competing in historic series: Sovern, ICSCC, CACC since 2017
  • Current GT cars: Panoz GTS, Nissan 510 and 240Z
Tania Gladiuk

Instructor

Tania Gladiuk

  • First female in Pro Drifting in Canada
  • Karting 125 Shifter
  • FF 1600 driver
  • Automotive Manufacturer facilitator
  • 25-year automotive experience doing commercial driving, stunt, TV, and high performance driving instruction
  • Working with teen driving initiatives
Scott Hargrove

Instructor

Scott Hargrove

  • 10+ years racing experience
  • IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Podium Finisher
  • Pirelli World Challenge Champion
  • Two-time Porsche GT3 Cup Canada Champion
  • USF2000 Champion
  • Pro Mazda Championship 2nd Place
  • Indy Lights Podium Finisher
  • Besides active in car racing, Scott does karting and offers private coaching both in cars and karts
Dirk Hohmann

Instructor

Dirk Hohmann

  • Started racing 1987
  • 1987-1989 FF2000 competitor
  • 1988 FF2000 Champion
  • 1988 competed in Rothmans Porsche Cup
  • 1989 Started Instructing
  • Early Area 27 Member
  • 2020 and 2021 Area 27 GT27 Champion

Off-Road Instructors

ZR2 Off-Road Academy
Kelly Watmough

Chief Off-Road Instructor

Kelly Watmough

  • 25 years of off-road motorcycle racing experience: CMA, CMRC Motocross, and Canadian National qualifier
  • Area 27 Race Tech Assistant
  • Academy 27 2.5-Day Certification
  • Level 1 First Aid
Brent Morrison

Off-Road Instructor

Brent Morrison

  • 25 years of off-road motorcycle racing experience including CMA, CMRC, Motocross, Supermoto, and mini road racing
  • Off-road training through Suzuki and Yamaha Canada, ATV, and Side by Side
  • Motorcycle Instructor with HardNoX track days
  • Recreational 4WD enthusiast, with experience in BC, Alberta, and Southern California
Marty Lizotte

Off-Road Instructor

Marty Lizotte

  • Area 27 Flag Marshal
  • Academy 27 2.5-Day Certification
  • Heavy Equipment Trainer - Open Pit Mining
  • Mine Rescue Competition Team Member
  • OFA Level 3 First Aid and NFPA 1081 Firefighter Certified
  • Off-Road Truck and Motorcycle Enthusiast: Dodge Ram Outdoorsman, Jeep TJ, Kawasaki KLR 650
  • Class 1 Heavy-Duty Tow Truck Operator