The 2024 HRC Legends of Speed will this year be celebrating Graeme Lawrence and his family over the weekend of 22-24 March 2024.
Three days of motor racing will be run at the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, commemorating the achievements of Lawrence and his family, with many of the cars, drivers and mechanics associated with the family in attendance.
A Legends of Speed celebration dinner will also take place on Saturday night in the Hampton Downs Pavilion, with many of the Lawrence family and guests attending. Starting at 6 p.m., Michael Clark and Brian Lawrence will be the master of ceremonies for the evening.
“It’s an honour,” commented Graeme Lawrence. “At the end of the day, I have always loved driving cars. All I was doing was driving a race car and having a great time. I feel very proud indeed and look forward to a great weekend of motorsport with family, friends, and motorsport fans.”
Guests attending the weekend include Dean and Sandra Hall. Hall was the first American who, in 1989, won the NZ Formula Pacific Championship, including the ’89 NZ Grand Prix. Winner of both the 1984 and 1987 NZ Grand Prix, Davy Jones, will also be in attendance along with both his wife and daughter.
Ken Smith, David Oxton, Kerry Bailey, Steve Richards, Ian McDonald, Stuart Eyre, Heather Spurle, Roger Anderson and Janelle Maber, daughter of Max Stewart, will also join the celebrations.
A photo collage will be on display at the dinner and later auctioned to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.
A parade will take place each lunchtime at the race meeting, with a selection of cars reflecting Lawrence’s long connection to the sport, including the Lola T332 F5000 that he competed in the Tasman Series (now owned by Russell Greer), his first Brabham BT11 (an ex-F3 car from the UK) used in the 1963/64 Tasman Series, the McLaren F2 car that won the Singapore and Selangor GPs, and the Brabham BT29 that also won both GPs.
Two Swift DB4s, with one in Dean Hall’s winner livery and a Ralt RT4 in Davy Jone’s livery when driven in NZ, will take part.
The Ford Anglia that both Tony and Graeme raced in the 1963/64 NZ Saloon Car Series as part of the Molyslip Team, the Toyota Supra that Graeme drove in Targa NZ with Frank Radisich in the 90s and the Fiat Bambina that Tony Lawrence raced at Ohakea.
Race categories taking part in the Legends of Speed race meeting at Hampton Downs over the weekend include Formula Open New Zealand, Historic Muscle Cars, Historic Saloon Cars, Historic and Vintage Racing Association, Mini / Pre 65, Historic Formula Ford / North Island Formula Ford, TCM / NZ6, BMW E46, BMW 2 Litre and Open C, BMW Open, Formula First, Heritage Touring Cars and European Racing Classics.
