Invercargill is preparing to step back into the golden age of motorsport as the George Begg Festival celebrates the party vibes of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s to the city.
The festival, which starts today, acknowledges the achievements of New Zealand legend George Begg.
Transport World director and the man behind the festival, Scott O’Donnell, said
it was "a celebration of a man who did great things in a great time".
Begg built 18 racing cars in his rural Southland "toyshop" between 1965 and 1974.
"George was something special for Southland.
"He was your classic Southland guy, very unassuming, probably grumpy — but he was bloody smart," Mr O’Donnell said.
Begg got his start in motorsport racing motorcycles overseas, eventually returning home and opening a successful engineering business.
The cars Begg built went on to go up against some of the biggest brand names in motorsport.
His cars were compared with Enzo Ferrari, and Drummond was dubbed the Maranello of Southland.
Mr O’Donnell said the event was not only a celebration of Begg himself, but of the era he worked in.
The festival takes in events at Bill Richardson Transport World, Classic Motorcycle Mecca and Teretonga Park.
Among the drivers attending will be two of New Zealand’s most successful drivers, Greg Murphy and Paul Radisich.
