The 2025 George Begg Festival will bring a golden age of Kiwi motorsport to life in Southland from April 10 to 13. Celebrating an Italian theme, the festival will showcase iconic brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat, both on and off the track.
A full track schedule of the event based at Teretonga will be announced in due course, featuring the likes of Historic Touring Cars, Formula 5000, Historic GT, Historic Formula Atlantic Cars, HVRA – Historic Saloons/Sports & GTs, Pre-78 Classic Saloons, Vintage Racing Cars, Modern Touring Cars, and a selection of Minis inspired by The Italian Job.
Highlights include “The Drummond Dash,” a 30-minute endurance race, and a historic rally demonstration.
Star drivers, including Paul Radisich, will be in attendance. Radisich will pilot the Ford Mondeo from his world championship win and will be reunited with his Ralt RT4, last driven in 1988.
“I’ve been to plenty of festivals around the world, in particular the Goodwood Revival, and attending the last one (George Begg Festival), for the first time putting it all together, it has the ingredients for a brilliant festival,” he said.
“Next year’s festival is going to be bigger and better, we’ve got more cars and more star drivers… the public are going to be in for a hell of a weekend, as well as the function on the Friday night.”
Supercars legend Greg Murphy and rally star Emma Gilmour will also make appearances.
The festival invites attendees to embrace retro and vintage fashion, with awards for the best-dressed at the “Trends on the Track” competition on Saturday, April 12.
The celebrations begin on Thursday, April 10, with “The Rev Up,” an exclusive VIP event in the George Begg Bunker at Classic Motorcycle Mecca, in Invercargill, featuring guest speakers, pizza, and a cash bar among a collection of George Begg’s race cars and motorcycles. The Rev Up is only available to those with an All Access Pass or as part of competitor entries.
Friday features an Alfa Romeo display and a Change Fuel Technologies exhibit, both of which run throughout the weekend. The evening hosts a retro-inspired “Night at the Opera with Queen” at Bill’s Shed, with live music, food, and drinks.
The weekend will offer live music, a vintage beauty parlour, Begg’s Bar, a food village, and entertainment, providing something for everyone.
Tickets are on sale now, including All Access Passes for exclusive perks. The event promises an extraordinary blend of motorsport history, Italian elegance, and festive fun.
