Speed, petrol, tarmac ‘it’s in my blood’

Glen Brazier, of Invercargill, leads the field in his Lamborghini Huracan during a GT and GT3 class race at the George Begg Festival held at Teretonga Park at the weekend. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON

Christchurch’s Bryan Ashmore waits patiently for his call-up to the start line his classic 1960s Daimler SP250. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD

Andy Giles from Wanaka restored his beloved 1974 MGB GT V8 car after a fire gutted his garage where he had the MG and several other cars stored. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD

Chris Buckley, of Arrowtown, in his Mini Cooper, has a David and Goliath battle with Mark McGuiness, of Wellington, in a V8 Ford Falcon, during the HVRA historic saloon race. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON

Saturday's petrol-head lineup was all about smiles and style as everything from a Ford Cortina to a Ferrari could be spotted at the 2025 George Begg Festival at Teretonga Park at Invercargill.

While vintage racing cars tore around the track at break-neck speeds, other retro racing enthusiasts were back in their tents preening and finetuning their mechanical babies ready for their turn to shine on the track.

Christchurch’s Bryan Ashmore lined up his classic 1960s Daimler SP250 Dart twice at the starting line of two different classes.

"I’m the only true sports car, production sports car out here.

"All the rest are hotrod racing cars."

It has been seven years since Invercargill’s Karl Boniface last had his Nitro Flashback funny car in the city at a race meet - but the George Begg Classic was a must-do event.

"I live in Invercargill, but race in the North Island, so the car is basically based in the North Island semi-permanently."

The 438ci-cast iron Chevrolet motor under the hood of Karl Boniface’s Nitro Flashback Funny Car is able to take the car from 0kmh-340kmh in six seconds. There are no electronics in the car which runs on a mix of 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol - just an oil pressure gauge. Photo: Toni McDonald

He first became involved as a spectator in 1987 and later transitioned to become a club volunteer, then later, he bought a car.

"Then I stepped up to this thing, and I’ve been doing this for 20 years now.

"It’s in my blood. My wife wants me to grow up, but it’s not going to happen."

Mr Boniface said he would be back at Teretonga next weekend at the Southern Dragways 40th anniversary drag meet.

It had been 19 years since he ran on the Teretonga track.

"So, it’s a bit of a homecoming for us."

- By Toni McDonald