Motor Sport
The Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill this weekend (14-16 February) has attracted another mighty muster of classic machinery across several different classes
The HVRA Class has a fantastic grid of twenty-four cars with a range of Ford’s such as Mustang, Fairlane, Falcon, Capri, Cortina, Escort’s and an Anglia while elsewhere on the grid Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Toyota, MGB GT, Porsche, Vauxhall Viva’s, a Datsun 1200 and Mini’s will all be represented.
One entry of interest is that of Houston based kiwi Graham Baker in ‘The Mighty’, the Falcon driven at SpeedFest last year by American Keith Davidson, and owned by Leon Hallett of Mosgiel.
Baker was a top driver in New Zealand throughout the 1960’s and 70’s and is probably best remembered for his time in the PDL Mustang and also in F5000 with the FM5. He is based in Texas these days where he owns a Speedway.
The Pre 78 Classic Saloons also have a diverse grid with everything from a Mercedes 280 and a Triumph Dolomite through to a Fiat 850 and everything in between. The highlight for the class will be their final race of the weekend in which the Brian Crosbie Memorial Trophy is up for grabs.
There is more interesting machinery on the Vintage Racing Car, Formula Libre and Classic Saloon grids.
The Allied 24/7 Fuel Mainland Muscle Cars will provide plenty of grunt with Chev Monza’s and Camaro’s, Ford Mustang’s, Falcon’s, Holden Monaro’s Torana’s and Commodore’s all battling it out.
Mini 7 South, the MX5 Heritage Cup and the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons complete an action-packed programme.
Presale tickets are available until Friday from E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill and Harrisons Supplies, Mersey Street in Gore.
Presale tickets are just $40 plus any applicable charges while a weekend pass at the gate over the weekend of the event is $50. A single day pass for either Saturday or Sunday is $30 per day while children 14 & under are free throughout the event as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
The action starts at 9.30am on Saturday with qualifying for each class before the weekend’s racing programme begins with ten races from 1.05pm on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday the action commences at 9.15am with thirty-two races in a full day of action.