The most exciting line up of cars seen at the Evolution Motorsport Classic SpeedFest for many years will assemble at Teretonga Park this weekend.
Every year the Classic Speedfest attracts a mouthwatering array of rare and exotic machinery from all over the globe and this year is no exception. However it is the return of the mighty Formula 5000 race cars for the first time in many years that has the fans excited. Backed up by a varied list of classic saloons, sports cars, single seaters and Vintage Cars plus the local Clubmans class
this meeting is a two day extravaganza of motorsport.
Spectators will not only enjoy some top class motor racing action but they can also get up close to the wonderful machinery on display in the pits and also talk to many of the drivers. While most events at Teretonga Park bring state of the art machinery to the circuit SpeedFest brings some of the most exciting machinery from yesteryear.
SpeedFest truly is, as the name suggests, a festival that has brought some of the most exotic racing cars in the world to Teretonga since the inaugural event in 1994.
AJ AUTO ELECTRICAL FORMULA 5000
The AJ Auto Electrical Formula 5000 field is sure to be an absolutely awesome spectacle. A truly international field will take those old enough to remember the good old days back to the 1970's when these cars were king. Those not that old will experience something unique - a huge field of V8 powered single seater racing cars. Evergreen kiwi Ken Smith, who was actually one of the leading drivers in the heyday of the cars, has returned to Formula 5000 and has fashioned an outstanding record over the past few seasons in a Lola T430. However this season he has met some tough competition, particularly in the form of two international competitors - Canadian Jay Esterer in a McRae GM1 and Englishman Mark Dwyer of Huddersfield in a Lola T400.
Several other internationals are expected to grace the grid including Englishmen Mike Whatley (Surtees TS8) and Gregory Thornton (Chevron B24) plus Peter Dunn of Monaco in a March 73A.
Many of the kiwis are also capable of running at the front, none more so than Dunedin driver Steve Ross. Ross has been extremely competitive since he joined the class, racing very competitively in his McRae GM1. Ross has done a lot of laps around Teretonga Park over the years and he could be a real threat this weekend.
Reg Cook of Manurewa, like Ken Smith, raced these cars the first time around forty years ago and now he returns to the class in a Lola T400.
The calibre of drivers on the Formula 5000 grid is high and the array of marques in the field is superb. Various models of Lola and Chevron, plus McRae, Surtees, March and most importantly for Southlanders, the Drummond built Begg cars will battle it out while Phil Mauger will race alongside the Formula 5000 cars in his Formula 1 McLaren M23.
JESCO HISTORIC TOURING CARS
The Jesco Historic Touring Cars will offer a snapshot of a different but equally fondly remembered era. In the 1980's and 90's the Touring Car scene was extremely competitive. Most countries had a major championship with the stars of the day fighting it out in series such as the British Touring Car Championship and World Touring Car Championship. The Wellington Street Race was a mecca for the best of those touring cars and stars for several years. This weekends line up at Teretonga reflects some of the great cars that were involved in those series. A wide variety of BMW's, Rovers, Jaguar's, Ford Sierra Cosworth and more will create a wonderful grid.
Watch for Arron Black of Dunedin in his Toyota Carina and fellow Dunedin driver Allan Dippie in the Bastos Rover. Yet another Otago driver Warren Good is also armed with a BMW while locals include event sponsor Rick Michels of Evolution Motorsport in a BMW M3 and Tony Forde in his Holden Commodore.
RAY WHITE REAL ESTATE/TURNTRU MACHINING CLASSIC SALOONS 2001cc & over
Ray White Real Estate & Turntru Machining support the 'heavy metal' class - the Classic Saloons 2001cc and over. This class features the big banger saloons and they do not come much more exciting than Robbie Francevic and the mighty 7 litre Ford Custaxie. Francevic had great success in the 1960's with the original Custaxie which was a 1955 Ford Customline with a 7 litre Ford Galaxy engine - hence the name. The old car is long gone but a similar vehicle has been built up by John Miller in Motueka and Francevic, who went on to become the Australian Touring Car Champion in the 1980's, will drive this impressive looking beast at Teretonga. Ranged against him will be Mustangs, Camaros, Jaguars, Holden Toranas and Valiant Chargers. Jim Little, of St Andrews, famous for his original exploits in the Charger will race one while plenty of local drivers, Rodger Cunninghame (Mustang), Brendan Mason (Camaro) and John Armistead (Torana) will compete.
Of special interest will be Brett Stevens in the 5.7 litre 1966 Renault Dauphine Corvette, another John Miller car and a very interesting machine.
PROBUILT ENGINES CLASSIC SALOONS 0-2000cc
The Probuilt Engines Classic Saloons from 0 – 2000cc features a plethora of cars. Best known of all the drivers is leading BNT V8s competitor Angus Fogg. Fogg cut his racing teeth competing in Minis and brings a Morris 1100 south for the event. His father Gerald Fogg will also compete in the same class in a Mini. Plenty of local interest will lie in this class with several Southlanders including Doug Erskine in the Coppertone Mini, Scott O'Donnell (Alfa), Eric McPherson (Daihatsu Charade), Jason Crosbie (Fiat) and John Abbott (Ford Escort) among the entries.
SIEVWRIGHT AUTOS SPORTS CAR CLASS
The Sievwright Autos Sports Car Class has a real international flavour with three regular overseas visitors in the mix. Clive Bate of the UK has a Porsche 911 RSR at his disposal while Kerry Anderson of Hong Kong will take the wheel of a Lotus Elan. Canadian Jack Ondrack will be at the wheel of his familiar TVR Tuscan in which he will also contest the Saloon car events.
Local interest will centre on Graeme Beck, Karen Clearwater and Russell Cunningham.
SOUTHERN PAINTS RACING CARS
The Southern Paints Racing Car Class sees the first appearance at Teretonga of Christchurch driver Dave Arrowsmith in his Swift DB4 Formula Atlantic car. The Formula Atlantic cars were the successors to the Formula 5000s during the international series that visited the circuit throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Jay Esterer backs up his Formula 5000 appearance using a Van Dieman Formula Ford in this class while other overseas drivers in the field are Australian Barry Wise in a Dulon and Kerry Anderson in an Argo. Again several locals are to the fore with Trevor Earley, Dave McKenzie, Don Nelson and Justin Heffernan on the entry list.
NOEL MCINTYRE DRAINAGE CLUBMANS SALOONS
The Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloon class has attracted a bumper entry. Of particular interest will be the debut of Bradley Dawson in the Mazda RX7 V8 of his uncle Colin Dawson. Colin has driven the car to National honours in the OSCA Super Saloon Championship while Bradley has been a competitive driver in smaller Toyotas for many years. The step up will be watched with interest. Others sure to be to the fore are Winton drivers Pierre Neame (Capri V8) and Brent Cross (Mitsubishi EVO) plus Robert Ralston of Invercargill in his Nissan Silvia.Brendan Mason of Invercargill will also compete in this class as well as the Classic Saloons in his Chev Camaro.
SOUTHLAND TIMES VINTAGE CAR CLASS
The Southland Times Vintage Car Class is headlined by Californian Peter Giddings Maserati 250F, a true classic. However there is plenty more fascinating machinery in the line up.
Southlanders in this field include David Clearwater in the Furore II and Mark Quertier in the historic Stuart Ford V8. Ralph Smith of Dunedin returns in the Lycoming Special.
PROGRAMME
The action commences at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturdays programme begins with qualifying followed by racing and Sunday will feature a full day of racing.
