Tauranga Racer Humbled by Southern Hospitality
Just days ago, Tauranga driver Derek Cecil was faced with the prospect of loading his damaged race car onto its trailer to begin the long trek home after an incident at Levels Raceway, Timaru, during an Historic & Vintage Racing Association (HVRA) class race.
Derek’s Ford Escort RS2000, a car with a rich history and the winner of the British Historic Rally Championship in 2014/2015 had been hit by another car and the damage meant that Derek would likely miss this weekend’s Star Insure Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill.
It had been a hell of a journey for Derek and his wife Christine to even get to Levels after an appalling run of ill fortune in recent weeks.
Derek takes up the story. “We had driven from Tauranga to Auckland for the Elton John concert only for it to be rained out so we had to drive home again. Then, on our way south we raced at Manfeild and the car dropped a tappet.” Things got worse when Derek learned that his daughter’s house in Tauranga had been severely damaged in a major weather event and she was left with no house, no cars, and no clothing. “I guess the only positive from that”, says Derek, “was that with us being on the road for 5 weeks our daughter had our place to live in. Her place was inundated, it was a massive event.”
Christchurch was next and Derek chose to spectate at the Skope Classic at Mike Pero Motorsport Park as well as Sprint Car racing at the adjacent Speedway before heading to Timaru.
There, the bad news continued. Derek admits he was distraught after the crash. “The car is a beautiful Wales Motorsport Meirion Evans FIA period correct car and it was badly damaged!” Oddly, that is where things took a turn for the better.
“The HVRA handled the investigation into the accident so well and the Clerk Of The Course was calm and collected and there were no harsh words. It transpired that the other car in the incident had suffered a massive mechanical problem which led to the crash,” says Derek. “Once I heard that I was happy to accept it.”
Derek and Christine have been humbled by the subsequent reaction. “People like Barry Leitch of Invercargill and Garry Carter of Carters Tyre Services have come forward,” Derek says.
“Barry got in touch with Paul Beattie, a panel beater in Cromwell. Paul immediately said no problem, bring it in. We have to wait four months to get anything done in the North Island,” laughs Derek. “I didn’t want a pig in a poke repair and that is not what we are getting. Garry Carter offered us a spare section at Highlands Motorsport Park to unload the car while Paul got on the phone to Deane Buist at motorsport parts provider, Palmside in Christchurch and they worked out what we needed. Meanwhile Garry and Robyn Carter invited us for dinner with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law who are also running in our class – HVRA .”
The car should be repaired midweek and then it will be off to Barry Leitch’s workshop in Invercargill. “We will get some paint on the car. I mentioned to Barry I had some carburettor problems and he said “no problem, we will sort that out as well”. “After all those incidents we now feel so good, like we have turned the corner. I’m blown away by the racing community. It is about the real people of New Zealand. After the last few years, we are still here.”
Derek will line up in the HVRA races at the Star Insure Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill this weekend. The event also features Pre 78 Classic Saloons, Classic Saloons, Vintage Racing Cars, Rennsport, Formula Ford plus the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons.
The action commences at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.
Discounted weekend passes are available from Auto Centre, Tweed Street, Invercargill or E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill or Harrisons Supplies, Mersey Street, Gore – superb value at only $35 plus any applicable administration fees.
Day passes and weekend passes are also available at the gate during the event.
Children 14 & under accompanied by an adult are free.