MG CLASSIC — 40 CLASSIC RACES, HUNDREDS OF CLASSIC RACERS

The MG Car Club Classic Meeting at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, which takes place from Friday, 15 November to Sunday, 17 November, is a strong contender for the best classic motor racing in New Zealand.

The programme of at least 40 races includes the return of the Formula 5000 cars along with Historic Muscle and Saloon Cars, Pre-65 cars, Historic Sports Sedans, Sports Cars and Formula Libre, Historic Single Seaters and Sports Cars, Classic Saloon, and Sports Cars and Allcomers.

Ron Robertson, who has organized the meeting for the past 17 years, is expecting close to 300 entries for the 34th running of this calendar event.

“The MG Classic meeting attracts entries from all over the country. This year’s meeting is guaranteed to provide an unrivalled spectacle, with more V8s than Bathurst. From the thundering Formula 5000 and Historic Muscle Cars to tightly contested handicap races, spectators will enjoy close racing and being able to see the cars at close quarters in the pits,” he says.

A feature event at the meeting is the

Sybil Lupp Invitation Memorial race.

Sybil Lupp was a New Zealand mechanic, motor racing driver, garage proprietor and motor vehicle dealer.

Ron says, “Sybil was the first New Zealand woman to achieve national prominence in motor racing and to establish a significant automotive business. She learned to drive when she was 11 years old and was a competitive racer for most of her 30s.”

From 1947 to 1954 she competed successfully in hill climbs, sprints and circuit races in MGS and later Jaguars. She held the Class F (1100– 1500cc) New Zealand quarter-mile flying start record of 100.52mph (161.77kph) for six years.

“The Sybil Lupp Invitation Memorial race is very important to the MG Car Club. Sybil not only established the MG Car Club in New Zealand but was also patron of the club for many years and an avid supporter of the MG Classic until her death in 1994,” Ron says.

Last year’s Sybil Lupp race was won by 17-yearold Jemma Barnes from Whanganui, driving a borrowed 1963 Holden EJ Special. Although Jemma had competed successfully in speedway for several years, this was her first experience of circuit racing.

Practice and qualifying will take place on Friday, 15 November, with racing getting underway at 9am on Saturday and Sunday. Entry fee is $25, with accompanied children under 14 free. For more info, contact Malcolm Fleming or 021 439 237, or see mgcarclub.org. nz or call Ron Robertson on 027 443 9969.