People from all over New Zealand gathered in Invercargill over the weekend to enjoy the celebrations as the Southland Sports Car Club marked 75 years since the club was formed in 1948.
The celebrations commenced with a meet and greet at the Clubrooms at Teretonga Park on Friday evening with the highlight of the night, the launch of the club’s latest book written by Wendy Jenks, Still Going Round In Circles, recording the years 2007 to 2023.
On Saturday a Standing ¼ was held in the morning followed by a BBQ lunch and circuit laps in the afternoon. In a nice touch, York Wills who competed at the second ever meeting held at Teretonga Park on 8 February 1958, set the fastest time in the Standing ¼ in his BMW M340i.
The activities concluded with a Celebration Dinner at the Ascot Park Hotel with MC Darren Ludlow conducting a series of interviews with several of the club’s personalities from over the years concluding with Special Guest, Southland Sports Car Club member Brendon Leitch, on a brief visit home from Europe where he currently leads the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Championship with one weekend of action remaining.
During the evening Life Members York Wills and Barry Keen cut a special cake to mark the milestone.
Celebration organiser, Wendy Jenks said one hundred and two people from all over New Zealand were registered for the events and they thoroughly enjoyed their weekend. “Friday night was all about mingling and chatting and, while the weather wasn’t ideal for the activities at the circuit on Saturday, participants still enjoyed it and made good use of the clubrooms. Sales of the book have been healthy and anyone that was unable to get one at the weekend can contact the Teretonga Park Office during office hours on 03 213 0522.”