The 2026 Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest takes place this weekend at Teretonga Park in Invercargill, promising an exciting showcase of historic cars and notable racing figures.

A major attraction will be the TKR 25th Anniversary Tour, celebrating Team Kiwi Racing’s legacy. The tour features the original All Black V8 Supercar Commodore, first raced at Bathurst in 2000 by Jason Richards and Angus Fogg. As New Zealand’s first V8 Supercar team, TKR captured strong interest as it took on Australia’s best across the Tasman. Over the years, many of the country’s top drivers competed under the TKR banner, and that proud history will be on display in the pits throughout the weekend. Merchandise will also be available, and the famous Commodore is set to appear on track at lunchtime on both Saturday and Sunday.

Adding further international flavour is the Formula Junior Platinum Jubilee World Tour, marking 70 years since the category began. Formula Junior was a key stepping stone to Formula 1 between 1958 and 1963 and attracted many of the era’s leading drivers.

Among the overseas entrants are competitors from the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia. Two names stand out in particular.

Ray Mallock, from the United Kingdom, is well known in motor racing circles as both a driver and an engineer. His father designed the Mallock U2, and Ray began building his reputation in those cars during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He progressed through Formula Ford, Clubman’s Formula and Formula 3 before competing in Formula Atlantic, Formula 2 and the British Formula One Championship. His career included multiple championship titles and a second placing in the Daily Express International Trophy at Silverstone in 1977.

Mallock also claimed the prestigious Grovewood Award, joining a list of winners that includes James Hunt, Martin Brundle and Damon Hill. He later competed at Le Mans and played a key role in engineering and team management, including success in the World Sportscar Championship. After retiring from professional driving in 1989, he led major touring car programmes through his company, RML Group Ltd. Now retired from business, he continues to enjoy historic racing in the Mallock U2.

Australian-based Grant Walker, originally from New Zealand, is another notable entrant. He won the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship in 1974/75 and later drove the ex-Paul Fahey Ford Cologne Capri, remembered for a dramatic startline incident at Teretonga during the 1970s.

Other categories competing include HVRA, Classic Saloons, Formula Libre, Vintage Racing Cars, Mini 7 South, Mazda MX5s and the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons.

Presale weekend tickets are available for $40 from E Hayes & Sons in Invercargill and Harrisons Supplies in Gore. Gate sales are $50 for the weekend or $30 per day. Children aged 14 and under receive free entry when accompanied by an adult.

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