Motor Sport
Those who were not around in the 1970’s are in for a treat when PDL Mustang 2 hits the track at Teretonga Park during the Evolution Motorsport Classic SpeedFest this weekend.
Driven by Leo Leonard the car dominated saloon car racing over several seasons in the mid to late 1970’s and when it finished it’s active competition life in 1979 the car held the lap records at Pukekohe, Bay Park, Manfeild, Wigram, Ruapuna, Timaru and Teretonga.
The car was built in Christchurch at PDL Racing’s headquarters to follow PDL 1, the car that went down in New Zealand motor racing history as “Electric Blue and 180 miles per hour.” The decision was made to replace PDL 1 with a car that was built to be the fastest racing saloon in New Zealand… and it was – timed at 184mph on the main straight at Wigram with Leo Leonard at the wheel.
Since those days the car has even spent time at the Ferrymead Heritage Park but is now fully restored and looks exactly as it did over 40 years ago.
The owner of the car, Todd Stewart of Christchurch, who describes himself as a custodian of the car, is the son of the late Sir Robertson Stewart, founder of PDL Industries and the original owner of the car. Stewart will drive the car this weekend.
As one can appreciate with such a special car the appearance of the Mustang will be weather dependent.
The SpeedFest action starts at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available from E Hayes and Auto Centre in Invercargill plus Harrison Supplies Ltd, Gore where discounted weekend passes cost just $25. A weekend pass purchased at the gate costs $35 and day only passes (purchased at gate) are $25 each day. Children 14 & under free if accompanied by an adult.
(Additional information – Allan Dick)