Sport + Motorsport
Spectators were treated to a day of exciting racing as the 2026 Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest got underway at Teretonga Park in Invercargill on Saturday.
Virtually every class that ran two races produced different winners, with several events decided by narrow margins.
A nostalgic highlight came during the lunchbreak when the Team Kiwi Racing Holden Commodore that debuted at Bathurst in 2000 completed demonstration laps, giving rides to a number of volunteers.
Leon Hallett of Mosgiel (Falcon) claimed the opening HVRA race ahead of Paul Burnet of Auckland (Ford Mustang) and Brent Findlay of Timaru (Datsun 1200). The second HVRA race, a handicap event, was won by Marvin Turton of Porirua (Leyland Mini), with Findlay second and Jamie Greene of Dunedin (Datsun 1200) third.
Graeme Fraser of Tauranga (BMW M3) took victory in the first Classic Saloon race from Mike Baker of Picton (Porsche 964) and Marcus Stewart of Christchurch (Porsche 964). Baker reversed the result in race two, winning ahead of Stewart and Harry Wilson of Invercargill (Falcon).
The Formula Junior field featuring a strong international contingent produced two tight finishes. Robin Longdon of Great Britain (Lola) edged Robert Hoemke of the United States (Lola) by just 0.094 seconds in the opening race, with Adrian Russell of the United Kingdom (Lotus) close behind. Later, Geoff Underwood of Great Britain (Brabham BT21) won the second race by 0.940 seconds from Longdon, with Hoemke third.
Formula Libre produced the only double winner of the day, with Ben Stiles of Mount Somers securing both races in his wings and slicks Formula Renault. Twelve-year-old karting standout Nixon Cripps of Edendale impressed in his motor racing debut to finish second in both events. Grant Walker, the 1974/75 New Zealand Formula Ford champion now based in Australia, was third in race one in the Titan he used to win that title, while local driver Rachael Beck finished third in race two in a Van Diemen after Walker retired.
The Vintage Racing Car races were closely fought, Royce Bayer of Rangiora (Beowulf) winning the opener from Roger Greaney of Napier (Lotus 20/22) and Paul Coory of Mosgiel (CAE Sprintcar). Coory then claimed victory in race two ahead of Tracey Barrett of Christchurch (Lotus 23C) and Bill Cowie of Blenheim (Spangeralli).
Mini 7 South and the Mazda MX5 Heritage Cup shared a combined race, with Justin Neill of Christchurch winning the Mini category from Adam Box of Rolleston, while Matthew Smith of Christchurch led Jamie Hannah of Wakefield in the Mazda class.
Steve Ross of Dunedin won the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloon race in his Ligier JSP3, finishing ahead of Mike Baker and Marcus Stewart.
The second day of competition begins at 9.15am tomorrow, with sixteen races scheduled.