Cam Neil bound for Leadfoot Festival
Cam Neil is known as the man that drives the yellow 1939 Chevy Coupe and this coming weekend, he will be battling it out in a unique festival – Leadfoot.
The Motuoapa resident has a long history when it comes to racing.
Starting off in stockcars in the 1970s, Neil then went on to build and race a modified in Rotorua.
Back in 1994, Neil bought the Coupe and that’s where his journey started. He built and set it up as a race car.
It wasn’t until 1997 that Neil finally got to start racing his car and since then he’s been all over the country racing it.
‘‘The car’s been pretty much the same the past 20 years, apart from some minor modifications,’’ he said.
One of Neil’s fondest memories with his car, is travelling to Australia with it.
‘‘In 2007 we went over for the Australian Muscle Car Masters. That was a real highlight of the career, going to Australia to race,’’ he said. ‘‘Twenty seven cars left New Zealand and at that time it was the biggest contingent of cars.’’
Since then, Neil has entered into a few events each year, getting track time with his Chevy.
The latest event he took part in was the Historic Grand Prix in Taupo¯ in the Historic Sports Sedan category.
One race over that weekend, Neil has described as being another highlight of his racing career.
‘‘I qualified sixth on the Saturday and had a really good battle with a Custaxie,’’ he said.
Starting side-by-side on the grid, Neil said it was a battle to see who could come out on top.
‘‘It was really exciting racing,’’ he said. But that’s not all for Neil. After applying to be invited to the invite-only Leadfoot Festival, Neil got word in November he had been accepted.
The Leadfoot Festival is a unique weekend bringing together a mix of classic cars, vintage motorcycles and motorsport legends
The 60 hectare, ocean-front estate in Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula features a long driveway that winds through the property of Rod Millen, and is designed to be the perfect hill climb.
Millen personally selects 130 championship racers from around the world to receive the coveted invitation to participate in the Leadfoot Festival
‘‘It’s always been an aim to get there.’’