Revving up for summer with Leadfoot and other great events

The sound, the smell, the speed…there is nothing like the Leadfoot Festival for getting as close as humanly possible to the adrenaline of racing without actually getting behind the wheel.

For 2017, Rod Millen has made use of his extensive contact list and enticing 1.6km driveway at Leadfoot Ranch Hahei to host top international riders at the event on February 4 and 5.

Driveways are a thing of beauty to Rod, and his driveway is no ordinary driveway. Designed around great rally courses upon which he’s raced, it was built for Rod’s 60th in 2011.

After the success of the first invitation-only gathering on Leadfoot Ranch to celebrate the driveway, the Millens’ were asked by business owners of the Coromandel and Motorsport clubs around New Zealand and others to consider making it a public event.

Hence the opportunity to now get so close to the action with some of the best racing car drivers in the world.

Alongside the favourites returning to the event on Waitangi Weekend are some big-name entrants making their debut. These include two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser jr, and stunt driver and Top Gear USA co-host (and runner-up at this year's Global Rallycross Championship) Tanner Foust.

Scottish-born rally star Alister McRae returns to test Millen's driveway, having ended up second to Leadfoot Festival winner (Rod's son) Rhys Millen.

For Leadfoot regulars, it is the vehicles as well as the drivers that make it so special. Among them, the ferociously fast Pikes Peak International Hill Climb-winning 2006 Dallenbach Special, driven by its owner and namesake American racer Paul Dallenbach. Dallenbach is an eight-time Pikes Peak victor.

Pikes Peak is in David Donner's hometown of Colorado Springs, and he is a six-time winner of the event. Three of those wins were in the car he is bringing to New Zealand - his 2005 Donner/Dykstra Pikes Peak Special.

Among the period vehicles is a 1959 Old Yeller II Buick Special built at Hollywood Motors by Max and Ina Balchowsky. Known fondly as the ‘‘Junkyard Dog'', it has been racing almost continuously since 1959, with only a short break of four years.

The national competitor announcements will be made at the end of this month.

Don’t miss the chance to get amongst the free-access pit area open to the public and chat to the drivers, watch the mechanics and admire the cars and motorbikes up close and get your tickets online now at the Leadfoot Festival website.

And for the music lovers...

There'll be great musical entertainment at The Leadfoot Festival in February, and plenty more incredible live music on offer on The Coromandel in the months prior.

At the iconic Coroglen Tavern, you will be spoiled for choice with the incredible line up of top live music that includes on December 28: Katchafire, Aaradhna, Sons of Zion, Kora, on December 31: Dragon, Mi-Sex and The Feelers, on January 3: Jon Toogood - solo & acoustic, on January 4: Broods with Kings & Theia and on January 7: Fly My Pretties.

Sunday 29 January is the 2017 Summer Concert at the Whitianga Waterways.

With its unique afternoon atmosphere and unchanged ticket pricing over the past five years, concert goers won't be disappointed with the 2017 line-up - featuring Australian rock legends ICEHOUSE for their first NZ headlining show in 20 years.

Also playing is the multi-talented Alan Parsons Live Project, along with the unmistakable voice of Bonnie Tyler. The concert is part of a three date national tour and tickets are selling fast. For details visit www.greenstoneentertainment.co.nz or speak to your local i-SITE or visitor centre onwww.thecoromandel.com.

Pick up a copy of Our Coromandel Summertimes Magazine for event listings and a great summer read.

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