Sensational Line Up For Speedfest

15 February 2013

Sensational Line Up For Speedfest

The Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest will bring a mouthwatering array of racing machinery together at Teretonga Park this weekend.

The spectacular Formula 5000 cars take centrestage with a healthy grid of big, loud and noisy race cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Marques such as McRae, Lola, Matich, Surtees, Elfin, March, Lotus and Talon will be represented on the grid while the Begg name will be present in the form of Lindsay O'Donnell's FM5. Steve Ross of Dunedin has been a pacesetter in the class over recent seasons in a McRae GM1 and he leads this year's MSC Tasman Revival Series as the cars head for Teretonga. However Clark Proctor, better known to Southlanders from his NZV8s exploits, has joined the class and has experienced early success in his March 73A. Others to watch include British drivers Mike Whatley, Greg Thornton and Peter Dunn. One to keep an eye on in one of the older cars in the class is Alan Dunkley who has been in superb touch in his Lola T140. Phil Mauger brings the ex-Denny Hulme McLaren M23 Formula 1 car south again this year and will race amongst the Formula 5000 cars.

Meanwhile a huge field of Formula Junior cars will race at the event. Formula Junior was a stepping stone to Formula 1 in the early 1960's and many of the great names developed their craft in the cars. These cars truly are classics and there will be some beautifully designed and superbly presented cars from a magical era at Teretonga with a strong international contingent on the grid.

In the Formula Libre races local Barry Leitch and Nelson's Garry Orton will both drive superbly restored Ralt RT4s.

The former Trevor Crowe V8 Toyota Starlet will be a feature of the Classic Saloon races. Now owned and raced by Richard Quin of Tauranga, Crowe originally built the car in 1979. It is powered by a 4200cc Oldsmobile V8 with a 4 speed Muncie gearbox and a Jaguar limited slip diff. The car won the hotly contested OSCA Series in 1981, 82 and 84 and also won the Coronet Peak Hillclimb in 1982 and the Ashley Forest Rallysprint in 1985.Crowe sold it to Jackson French of Rotorua in 1988 who raced it for many years before Quin purchased it. The Starlet will be seen in a mouthwatering field of saloon cars that also features Canadian Jack Ondrack in his Tuscan TVR and local Brendan Mason in his Chev Camaro.

There are also strong entries in Formula Ford, Sports Cars, Historic Touring Cars, Vintage Cars plus a huge entry in the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons including 15-year-old Liam MacDonald who made an eyecatching debut in the NZV8 class at Teretonga and Timaru last month.

The South Island Pre 65 Saloon Series will also provide a spectacular show. Expect Wayne Tuffley of Invercargill to be at the forefront while Stu Mitchell of Otautau should perform well in his Valiant AP6.

The McBegg Sports car, another of George Beggs creations using cast offs from the McLaren factory, will make some demonstration runs during the weekend.

TICKETS
Discounted tickets are available from:
Auto Centre, Tweed Street, Invercargill,
E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill
Jesco Hydraulics, Bond Street, Invercargill
Harrisons Supplies, Mersey Street, Gore

Pre-purchased weekend passes from the above outlets cost just $25 for adults
Weekend passes purchased at the gate are $30 for adults, Saturday only passes $15 and Sunday only passes $20
Children Under 14 Free

The action commences from 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.

ENDS

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