Action-packed racing, star drivers, unique classic cars, parades, demonstrations and plenty of family activities brought down the curtain on the 2023 George Begg Festival at Teretonga Park in Invercargill yesterday as the legacy of legendary Drummond race car constructor, the late George Begg, was celebrated.
The big names were to the fore in Sunday morning’s Historic Touring Car races, with two-time NZV8 Champion Kayne Scott of Hamilton and Australian star John Bowe battling for the lead in their Ford Sierras. Despite not having driven competitively for thirteen years, Scott won by .960 of a second from Bowe, with two-time World Touring Car Champion Paul Radisich third in his Ford Mondeo with four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy next in his Nissan Primera.
Scott was an early retirement in the second race, which was won by Murphy from Bowe, with Nigel Arkell of Wanaka in a Honda Accord third.
The return Grudge Match between the 1990’s Supertourers and the current technology of the TCR cars saw the TCR cars start with a handicap after
their victory the day before. The Supertourers managed to square the ledger, however, as Rowan Shepherd (BMW 318i) crossed the line .004 of a second ahead of Scott O’Donnell in his TCR car, with Murphy third.
Albany driver Angus Fogg showed his class in the first HVRA race of the day, coming through the field to seize the lead by the end of the first lap. The race was interrupted by a red flag stoppage, and upon resumption, Leon Hallett of Mosgiel in his Mustang was able to reel in Fogg’s Morris Cooper S and lead him across the line with another Cooper S, that of Howard Kingsford- Smith, third.
Hallett then received a penalty, elevating Fogg and Kingsford-Smith to first and second and Dennis McConnell (Ford Escort) to third. The second race was a handicap contest, and Kingsford-Smith capped off a successful day with a victory over Luke Richardson (MGB GT) and Steve Pauling (Ford Escort).
Rodger Cunninghame won the first Pre-78 Saloon race in his Ford Mustang from first-day winner Harrison O’Donnell in a Capri. Bruce Farley, in his Vauxhall Viva GT, was third. The afternoon race was a handicap event, and the big cars couldn’t make up the deficit. Steve Pauling just pipped Kingsford-Smith on the line for the win, with Matthew McLeary of Mosgiel third in his Triumph 2.5 PI.
Young kiwi Ryan Wood, now based in Melbourne driving for Walkinshaw Andretti United in Super 2, won both Pre-2012 GT races. In the first, he ran away to a 24-second win in his Porsche 997 GT3 R over Brian Scott in his Porsche 997.2, with Jonny Reid third in a Porsche GT3 RSR.
In the second, a 20-minute race, Wood paced himself but eventually crossed the line ahead of Ross Graham in a Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 and Scott.
Brad Rule of Queenstown made a clean sweep of the Allcomers Saloons/Post 2000 Touring Car races in his Holden Commodore SuperTourer, winning both from Brayden Phillips in a Falcon with Jason Scott in a Commodore SuperTourer and Steve Ross in the PDL Mustang taking a third place apiece.
Paul Coghill and Mark Barrett shared the wins in the Vintage Racing Car races, just as they had done the previous day. Coghill, in his Jaguar Special, won the first after passing early leader Barrett who finished second, with Northland driver Grant Clearwater third in his New Zealand-built Special. In a Lotus 23B Replica, Barrett took the second from Clearwater, with Coghill third.
An incredible array of nineteen Fords lined up for the Ford Invitational race with the Sierras of Scott and Bowe at the back of the grid. Scott, driving at his favourite New Zealand circuit, nearly made it to the front but finished second to one of New Zealand’s iconic saloons, the PDL Mustang, in the hands of Fogg, while local driver, Kevin Underwood, drove his Falcon to third.
Scott O’Donnell, in his 997 GT3 R, won the Porsche Invitational race in a close finish from Allan Dippie of Dunedin in a 991 GT3 R, with Brian Scott third in his 997.2.
It was a day of racing befitting the legend that is George Begg.
Words: Supplied
Header Image: Transport World
