Yes, the Repco Supercars Championship was at Taupo, but historic fans headed down to Teretonga on the South Island to catch an eclectic mix of machinery for the George Begg Festival.
Categories represented at the event included Historic Touring Cars, Formula 5000, GT, Formula Atlantics, Vintage Racing Cars and much more as it celebrated Italian motoring this year.
Many New Zealand stars including Paul Radisich, Greg Murphy and Steven Richards were in attendance sampling either cars forming part of their history or something fresh.
In a special moment for the Richards’ family, Steven’s son Clay steered a Volvo S40 Super Tourer driven by his grandfather Jim at the event.
Off road stars were also represented by World Rally Championship event winner Hayden Paddon and leading female driver Emma Gilmour.
The thunderous Formula 5000s were dominated by Steve Ross by winning all four races in his McRae GM1, but the final encounter was closely-fought to the tune of 0.891s due to a challenge from Blake Knowles driving a Begg FM5/2.
The Historic Touring Cars featuring Group A, Super Tourer, Schedule S and more rulesets featured a great cast of drivers.
Greg Murphy slid behind the wheel of an ex-Neil Crompton Honda Accord Super Tourer, but he was up against Paul Radisich in one of his old Ford Mondeos from the British Touring Car Championship and the two Richards’, with Steve going up against Clay in an Opel Vectra.
A variety of sports cars representing GT2, GT3 plus more, open-wheelers including Radisich being reunited with his RT4 and vintage models of various age proved a thrilling spectacle.
Just like the Sandown Retro Round Supercars used to have, the George Begg Festival had a dress up competition.
The event is named after constructor George Begg, who was a renowned engineer and built 18 race cars during the 1960s-1970s period.
This edition was the first to be held since 2023.