• Latest
  • Trending
Statue to honour Chris Amon planned

Statue to honour Chris Amon planned

February 5, 2021
Alpine show off fresh look for 2021 F1 season

Alpine show off fresh look for 2021 F1 season

March 3, 2021
Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

March 2, 2021
Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

March 2, 2021
Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

March 2, 2021
MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

March 1, 2021
Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

March 1, 2021
MotoFest 2021 postponed

MotoFest 2021 postponed

March 1, 2021
Jack Brabham’s first-ever F1 car up for sale

Jack Brabham’s first-ever F1 car up for sale

March 1, 2021
Formula E release CCTV footage of Evans, Lynn aeroplane crash

Formula E release CCTV footage of Evans, Lynn aeroplane crash

March 1, 2021
“We’ve got to keep chipping away”: Van Gisbergen reflects on victory streak and big title lead

“We’ve got to keep chipping away”: Van Gisbergen reflects on victory streak and big title lead

February 28, 2021
Watch: Shane van Gisbergen makes perfect start, claims second Mount Panorama win

Watch: Shane van Gisbergen makes perfect start, claims second Mount Panorama win

February 28, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
VelocityNews
Classifieds
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Statue to honour Chris Amon planned

by Zane Shackleton
February 5, 2021
in New Zealand, News, NZ General
0

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Alpine show off fresh look for 2021 F1 season

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

A statue commemorating New Zealand motorsport icon Chris Amon at Bulls’ new community centre is the pipeline.

Amon was born in the small Bulls town where he was taught how to drive by a paddock worker on his father’s sheep farm.

Upon leaving school, Amon looked to start a career in motorsport.

Starting with entering the odd Hillclimb in an Austin A40, Amon worked himself onto the Formula 1 grid. There, the Kiwi raced for the likes of Ferrari, Matra and BRM.

Amon is often considered the greatest driver to have never won a Grand Prix, such was his talent and his incredible misfortune.

In the 1972 French Grand Prix, Amon was almost destined to finally snare an elusive win. But on the 18th lap he was seen limping back to the pits. The left front tyre had been punctured by a loose stone.

Rejoining the race down in eighth, Amon went about with a stupendous recovery effort. He fought himself up to third, smashing the previous lap record by over seven seconds and coming tantalisingly close to snatching second at the line.

He would end his F1 career with 96 starts, 11 podiums, five pole positions and three fastest laps.

Still, Amon did win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Bruce McLaren – a victory recreated in the recent Ford vs Ferrari film.

He would also win the 1969 Tasman Series, beating the likes of Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt and Piers Courage in his own backyard.

In 2016, the Manfeild circuit near Palmerston North renamed itself Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in honour of the motor racing legend.

Now, Bulls Museum committee members have approached the Rangitīkei District Council about erecting a statue of Amon outside its new community centre.

The hope is to have the statue as a drawcard for local and international motorsport fans.

The planned design will have a life-sized Amon donning a victory wreath, with two red and white panels on either side of him to recreate his helmet’s paint scheme.

Three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart is said to have thrown support behind the idea.

Stuff has suggested that the overall cost of the statue will be around $200,000.

Final confirmation on the statue lies in local iwi and council members’ hands as they decide on what artwork will decorate the green space.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Alpine show off fresh look for 2021 F1 season

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

Bringing you the latest motorsport news in New Zealand and around the world

Managing editor and publisher:
Mark Petch mark@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Matthew Hansen matt@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Alex Schultz alex@velocitynews.co.nz

Motor Racing Editor:
Zane Shackleton zane@velocitynews.co.nz

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • International
      • Formula 1
      • Formula 2
      • Formula 3
      • Formula E
      • Esports
      • Super GT
      • Super Formula
      • TCR
      • WEC
      • GT
      • Porsche Carrera Cup
      • BTCC
      • DTM
      • IMSA
      • IndyCar
      • NASCAR
      • WRC
      • MotoGP
      • Motorcycle Racing
      • Classic
    • New Zealand
      • Toyota Race Series
      • Toyota 86
      • Rally
      • Speedway
      • Drifting
      • Formula Ford
      • Formula First
      • TCR NZ
      • TransTasman V8 Series
      • V8 Utes
      • GTRNZ
      • Central Muscle Cars
      • Pirelli Porsche
      • Mazda Racing Series
      • NIERDC
      • SIERDC
      • SsangYong Utes
      • Kartsport
      • NZ General
    • Australia
      • Supercars
      • Super2
      • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
      • S5000
      • Australian GT
      • TCR AU
    • General
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Classifieds
    • Classifieds
    • Post Classified
    • Manage your listings
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.