Chris Amon’s legendary bad luck made an unwelcome reappearance at the weekend, when endless torrential rain brought a halt to the first Sunday of the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing celebrating his career.
Fans hoping to see the Formula One and Sports Car legend back behind the wheel of some of his most famous cars won’t have to wait too long however, as the second instalment of the Festival takes place this coming weekend at Hampton Downs, and Amon is raring to go with a series of track demonstrations in some stunning and priceless machinery.
“It has been great to get reacquainted with some old four wheeled friends of mine and I have to admit to being very excited at the prospect of getting back in,” he said. “I ran a couple of laps on Thursday in one of my old Formula One cars and it was just great. I am really looking forward to fine weather and a dry track.”
Amon was highly regarded in his Formula One years and is recognised as the most talented driver never to win a Grand Prix, despite coming close on countless occasions and despite his many successes and legendary record in other racing disciplines. His record is an impressive one nonetheless and includes wins in the two biggest sports car races, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Daytona 24 Hours.
The weather forecast for this weekend’s racing looks much better, with finer weather the main feature. That will allow several hundred racers and their unique cars to get back out on track and continue their battle for the Festival trophies.
Formula 5000 tops the bill this weekend, with 30 of the thundering cars set for an F1 style qualifying session on Friday with the field being reduced by ten after each of two 15minute practice sessions. The top ten will then ‘shoot out’ for the pole position. There will be just ten minutes between each session and it should be an ‘amazing spectacle’ according to festival Chairman Jim Barclay.
“It’s definitely something everyone who likes cars or racing should get along to. These cars may be old, but they are wonderfully prepared and are still some of the most exciting cars to watch in the whole of motor sport.”
The ever popular Muscle Cars are also in action this weekend, along with fields of historic single seaters and early saloons.
