George Begg brings magic in motion

George Begg Festival director Scott O’Donnell with former racer Brett Riley before getting on to the track at Teretonga Park with his 1973 Ford Capri. PHOTO: LUISA GIRAO

The George Begg Festival was an opportunity for drivers to reconnect with "old friends" last weekend.

After 30 years of racing cars, former New Zealand Touring Car Championship winner and Former Begg JM1 racer Brett Riley had gone 22 years without racing a car.

However, he decided to return to the track at this year’s George Begg Festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday at Teretonga Park in Invercargill.

"I’m still trying to catch up with it all, but it has a strangely familiar feel to it so far. I’m not going very fast, so you know, it’s a bit like ... not the real thing — but it is about having fun."

New Zealand race car driver Greg Murphy competed in various cars during the event — he is seen here in a Hillman Avenger before the "Drummond Dash". PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON

Among the cars he raced were a 2004 Porsche GT3 Cup, a 1973 Ford Capri and his "old friend" a 1973 Begg JM1.

"This was the car which I made my name in 50 years ago, so that was my main motivation. I wanted to hop into the car that I’d raced 50 years ago."

It has been seven years since Invercargill’s Karl Boniface last had his Nitro Flashback funny car in the city at a race meet — but the George Begg Classic was a must-do event.

"I live in Invercargill, but race in the North Island, so the car is basically based in the North Island semi-permanently."

Grant Milligan in his MK 2 Ford Escort 1600 Sport nudges ahead of Richard Wilson is a Alfa Romeo GTV in a PRE 78 class race. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON

He first became involved as a spectator in 1987 and later transitioned to become a club volunteer, then later, he bought a car.

"Then I stepped up to this thing, and I’ve been doing this for 20 years now.

"It’s in my blood.

"My wife wants me to grow up, but it’s not going to happen."

Mr Boniface said he would be back at Teretonga next weekend at the Southern Dragways 40th anniversary drag meet.

Karl Boniface checks under the hood of his Nitro Flashback funny car. The engine is a 438ci cast iron Chevrolet which is able to go from 0 to 340kmh in 6 seconds. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD

It had been 19 years since he raced on the Teretonga track. "So, it’s a bit of a homecoming for us."

It was not just the veterans who enjoyed the classic cars event — 240 pupils from Otatara School also took the day off to meet the star drivers and have a taste of the races.

Deputy Principal Carla Werder said it was an opportunity not to be missed.

"All the students were very excited — as soon we got out of the bus, at the gates, I could only hear ‘wow’ from the kids."

Student Charli McDougall said it was her first time seeing cars racing that closely.

Glen Brazier in his Lamborghini Huracan leads the field in a GT/ GT3 class race. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON

"Probably my favourite thing of today is to watch the cars going really fast," she said.

Festival director Scott O’Donnell said the weekend had been a great success.

"The first time the festival was run two years ago, I don’t think people understood what we were trying to do if they hadn’t been to the Goodwood Revival," he said.

"It’s got the magic; it’s got the atmosphere — people have really enjoyed themselves both on and off the track."

By Luisa Girao and Toni McDonald