The Race Classes
Formula 5000/F1
This is the premier class for the NZFMR and there will be a 15 lap feature race on Sunday at both Hampton Downs and Pukekohe for the ‘F5000 Tasman GP.’ Big and colourful single seater 5000cc V8 engined race cars will provide a great racing spectacle. With some 45 cars taking the gird, there will be races within the race as the late 1960s and early 1970s cars dice with each other while at the front of the field the mid-1970s cars vie for the outright lead.
Can-Am and Other V8 Engined Sports Racing Cars
Cars in this class will be big and colourful Canadian-American (Can-Am) Challenge Cup cars of the 1960s and 70s or V8 Sports racing cars such as Australian-made Matich and Elfin cars. The ground will tremble as some cars with big block engines of up to 8.8 litres thunder by.
Tasman Formula - 1960s pre-F5000 Tasman cars
Cars in this class will be typical of those singles seater cars that raced in New Zealand and Australia in the 1960s ‘Tasman Cup’ and other national races. Bruce McLaren drove cars like these.
Super Historics
These cars are 1970s and 1980s ‘wings and slicks’ cars like those that won the New Zealand and Australian Grand Prix throughout the period. There will be some other invited cars such as the Formula Holden race cars of the late 1980s and 1990s as driven by Scott Dixon. The classic line up will include chassis from manufacturers like Ralt, March, Reynard and Tiga.
Formula Junior/early F3 cars
This class is for the small 1100cc single seaters from 1959 – 1963, plus some invited Formula 3 cars from the 1964-68 period. There will be a full field of colourful front and rear engined cars and there will be plenty of close racing. The Formula requires the use of passenger car engines and brake systems of the era so there are plenty of iconic Fiat, Ford Anglia and BMC motors out on the track.
Early Historics - 1930s, 1940s and 1950s
There will be plenty of historic racing and sports racing cars in this class – New Zealand veteran driver Kenny Smith marveled at the entry list and said this race class alone would warrant the entry price for historic car buffs.
There will be no fewer than nine Coopers from overseas, a Lister Jaguar and lots of New Zealand specials built in the 1940s and 1950s.
Invited 1970s Saloons & GTs
This class will have 1970s cars including some of the most famous ‘tin tops’ of the era including a Ford Cologne Capri and Ford RS2600 Capri, Jaguar XJS and XJ6, Escort RS2000, Ferrari 308GTB, Ford Mustangs, BMWs, Alfas, Minis and more. Lots of colour, close racing and impressive speed.
Invited 1960s Saloon & GTs
There will be the return to the track of Robbie Francevic in his recreated 1967 NZ Saloon car Championship winning Custaxie 7000cc that he aptly titled ‘Colour Me Gone.’ Add in the ex Clyde Collins A40 Fordina, the famous ex-Kerry Grant/Jim Mullins Austoin A40, some Anglias, Lotus Cortinas, Mini Coopers, Mustangs, Ferrari 275, Escorts, Mk3 Zephyr, Mk2 Zephyr Corvette, Alfas and there will be plenty for fans to fizz about.
Sports and Sports Racing Cars
Include 1950s-1960s Sports cars (MG, TR, Jaguar, Austin Healey) plus sports racing cars of a similar era. Plenty of variety in this class, including the famous Lycoming Special, Stanton Corvette and a number of historic Bucklers.
Formula Fords
A full field of 1970s and 1980s Formula Fords. Plenty of Kiwi and Aussie cars will make for a colourful grid. Some cars have been owned by then young drivers who went on to become ‘famous’. Guaranteed close racing and plenty of passing!
