Motor Sport
The first day of racing at the Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill was a stunner, with exciting competition across all classes on the programme. Related: Classic SpeedFest Delivers Intense Racing Action
Gary Johnstone of Christchurch claimed victory in the eagerly awaited opening HVRA Class race, piloting his Jaguar XJS to the win ahead of Leon Hallett of Mosgiel in his Ford Mustang. David Hunter of Dunedin rounded out the podium in an MGB GT in a large and competitive field.
The first Pre-78 Classic Saloon race featured an all-Vauxhall Viva front row, with Bruce Farley of Nelson on pole and Wayne Perkins of Alexandra alongside. Perkins led early before a red flag halted proceedings. On the restart, Perkins resumed the lead, but Farley retired soon after, leaving Perkins to take the win ahead of Mark McGuinness of Wellington in an Alfa Romeo GTV and Steve Pauling of Nelson in a Ford Escort. Scotty Johnstone of Darfield finished next in his Cortina after a hard-fought battle with Pauling. The second race, a handicap start, saw front-runners take advantage, with Blair Bishop of Dunedin securing victory in his Fiat 850, followed by David Berry of Oxford in a Ford Escort and Pauling again in third.
The Classic Saloons also had two races, with Bob Hyslop of Tauranga in his Mazda RX7 getting the jump on pole-sitter Steve Ross of Dunedin in the PDL Mustang and leading all the way to the flag. Mike Baker of Picton finished third in a Porsche 964. The second race was a repeat performance, with Hyslop again taking the win ahead of Ross and Baker.
Mark Barrett of Rolleston steered his Lotus 23B Replica to victory in the Vintage Racing Car race, leading home Paul Coory of Mosgiel in a CAE Sprint Car. Barrett’s wife, Tracey, finished third in a Lotus 23C Replica.
In the Formula Ford/Libre race, Royce Bayer of Rangiora led from start to finish. Jordan Michels of Invercargill charged through the field after a qualifying penalty to claim second, while Marc Doran of Queenstown finished third in a Ray 86F.
One of the key supporting classes, the Allied 24/7 Fuel Mainland Muscle Cars, saw Rhys Gould of Christchurch on pole in his Mustang, with Angus Fogg of Riverhead alongside in another Mustang. Fogg launched off the start and never looked back, securing victory. Brayden Phillips of Christchurch ran second for much of the race until a late puncture allowed Gould to reclaim second place, with Mike Wallace of Dunedin third in a Chev Monza.
The Mini 7 South race finished under a safety car, with Bailey Paterson of Ohoka leading the field across the line, followed by Justin Neill of Christchurch in second and fellow Christchurch driver Daniel Lamb in third.
Dion Dawson of Invercargill dominated the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloon race in his Saker SVS, building a huge lead before a safety car neutralized his advantage. On the restart, Dawson pulled away again, crossing the line ahead of his brother Kyle in a Nissan Skyline, with Bob Hyslop taking third.
The MX5 Heritage Cup, running within the Club Saloon races, was won by Dean Evans of Hamilton, followed by Matthew Smith of Christchurch and Everard Petrie of Rolleston.
Racing continues tomorrow with twenty-two action-packed races on the schedule, beginning at 9:15 AM. Gate tickets are just $30, while children 14 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult.
D50_1708: Gary Johnstone of Christchurch in his Jaguar XJS leads the opening HVRA race from Leon Hallett of Mosgiel in a Ford Mustang on the opening day of the Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill on Saturday. Johnstone won the race from Hallett. photo: supplied