Streets ahead: Hartley honoured at Manfeild
‘‘My earliest childhood memories are [at Manfeild] watching Dad with the No 28 on the side of his Formula Holden and Minis.’’
Brendon Hartley
Brendon Hartley has come a long way from being king of the sand in his first year of racing at Manfeild.
The Palmerston North driver, who has won two World Endurance Championship titles, a 24 Hours of Le Mans title and is now a full-time driver on the Formula One circuit, was on deck as his home track Manfeild unveiled its newly named entrance – Brendon Hartley Drive – on Thursday.
Hartley was left speechless after he was joined by his family to erect the sign.
‘‘It is quite touching. It was quite emotional seeing friends and family here, and members of the Manawatu¯ Car Club and Manfeild,’’ he said.
‘‘It was a little bit unexpected. I have just arrived in F1 and while I have had a lot of success over the last four years, I did not expect to have a street up at Manfeild.’’
After the sign was put in place, Hartley took a ceremonial drive down the road with fiancee Sarah Wilson waving the checkered flag.
It was a fitting acknowledgement for the connection between Hartley and the track.
‘‘My earliest childhood memories are [at Manfeild] watching Dad with the No 28 on the side of his Formula Holden and Minis,’’ he said.
It was also the venue where Hartley made his first step away from karts: ‘‘My first race, I was 12 in Formula Vee. I was in Dennis Martin’s team, he bought a lot of young drivers through.’’
He could remember exactly how his first race went, but added ‘‘I probably ended up in the sandpit’’.
‘‘I did win the sandpit award that year, my name is still on it somewhere. I was quick, but a bit loose which you kind of expect out of a 12 to 13-year-old.’’
That was the start of a journey up the ranks, but he remains a member of the Manawatu¯ Car Club.
President Richie Arber said the idea to rename the road came after a conversation with fellow club member Russell Harris.
‘‘The conversation centred on a question: ‘Why is it in New Zealand that we take so long to publicly honour and acknowledge the achievements of our motorsport elite? Why do we not do it sooner so that the person being acknowledged can enjoy it to the absolute fullest?’.’’
The track at Manfeild was renamed Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon in 2016, three months after the motorsport legend, regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest drivers, died.
Hartley said he was determined to build on his legacy to ensure he continued to be worthy of having his name at the venue’s entrance.
‘‘I feel like I still have a lot to achieve. I am setting my goals quite high and I hope I still have a long career ahead of me.’’
That will all start again when the 2018 F1 season gets under way in Australia in March.