HISTORIC GRAND PRIX HEADS BACK TO TAUPO
New Zealand’s leading classic race meeting makes its triumphant return
After disruptions due to Covid, the way is now clear for the Taupō International Motorsport Park to host the sixth edition of its Historic Grand Prix over the weekend of 21 – 22 January 2023, with practice sessions all day on Friday 20th.
The Historic Grand Prix is New Zealand’s leading classic race meeting. It will feature eight different race categories in 24 races over the two days. These include Formula 5000, historic Formula Ford/formula Junior and invited historic single-seaters, historic muscle and saloon cars, historic sports sedans and invited all comers, Tranzam, heritage touring cars, Formula Open NZ and Hooters vintage race series pre-1966 saloons, and sports cars.
After celebrating Alfa Romeo in 2020 and Ford in 2021, the marque to be celebrated in 2023 is Jaguar.
The VCC permitted pre-1966 saloons and sports category is tailormade for road-going Jaguar saloons without roll cages. Open sports cars must have a roll hoop or be fully caged. You just need to be a member of the Vintage Car Club or MSNZ, have a race licence and logbook, and submit your car for scrutineering by the VCC scrutineers at the meeting.
This promises to be one of the highlights of the 2023 calendar of events being planned by Jaguar clubs up and down the country to celebrate the centenary milestone in the history of Jaguar since Bill Lyons and Bill Walmsey started their fledgling business in 1922. As well as wonderful racing of classic and historic cars, there will be lots to see and do at the event including:
• A track parade of club Jaguars
• A collection of classic Jaguars on display in the Legends Marquee, including Colin Giltrap’s XKSS
• Met Greg Murphy and other icons of the sport in the Legends Garage
• Celebration of Richard Waugh’s book for the centenary, Classic Jaguars in New Zealand.
For more information visit taupomp.co.nz.