RETRO MOTORSPORT BONANZA TO TAKE TO THE TRACK AT THE GEORGE BEGG FESTIVAL 2023
The countdown is on – with just a little more than a month to go, the George Begg Festival is gearing up to arrive in Invercargill.
Invercargill’s Teretonga Park, the southernmost-FIA recognised race circuit in the world, has been the scene of plenty of stellar racing – this time around though, the racing will be complemented by a nostalgic ambience that promises to transport guests back to “the good old days” of classic motorsport.
With three days of racing locked in, plus a variety of off-track events to add to the fun – including the exclusive George Begg Long
Lunch kicking things off on the Thursday; a chance to mix and mingle with star drivers set to make an appearance, the Begg family and guest speakers – the George Begg Festival promises to bring the good vibes of the 1960s and 1970s for petrolheads, party people, and families alike between Thursday, March 30 and Sunday, April 2.
Invercargill businessman Scott O’Donnell came up with the concept of the festival as New Zealand’s answer to the hugely popular Goodwood Revival, held in the United Kingdom county of Sussex. Scott grew up firmly ensconced in the world of racing (he was only six weeks old on his first visit to
Teretonga) and his ;late parents Merle and Keith were both long-standing members of the Southland Sports Car Club, with Keith serving as the head gate man for years and as a young lad, Scott was tasked with opening the gate to the track crossing.
The festival is a tribute to raing car constructor George Begg, who created 18 vehicles between 1965 and 1974 in his humble workshop in rural Southland – the small township of Drummond, to be exact – dubbed the “Toyshop”. Begg, who decided to give racing car construction a crack after reading about it in a book, went on to partner successfully with several well-known names of the era including David Oxton, Barry Keen, Leo Leonard and Jim Murdoch.
For motorsport enthusiasts who came-ofage in the heyday of classic Kiwi racing, like Scott, the George Begg Festival is a chance to see some of those guys suit up once more.
Registrations for the festival are now open, and so far the line-up is looking pretty stellar.
David Oxton, Jim Murdoch and Leo Leonard will be taking to the track, as will fellow Kiwi motorsport legends Greg Murphy and Paul Radisich.
O’Donnell says attracting names like Murphy and Radisich – arguably two of the biggest names in modern New Zealand motorsport history – is huge news for
those keen on attending the festival.
“For all of our competitors, the chance to square up against marquee names like Greg Murphy and Paul Radisich is huge; for our guests, they can be confident that the on-track entertainment will be top-class.”
With a career spanning almost three decades, Radisich well and truly made his mark on the motorsport world stage, taking out two Touring Car World Cups (including the inagural event in 1993 and again in 1994) and racing in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and more.
Radisich says he is eager to head to Invercargill for the George Begg Festival.
“I’m honoured to be invited to drive at the George Begg Festival, not only to pay tribute to one of New Zealand’s consummate motorsport identities, but also to be reunited with my World Cup-winning Ford Mondeo and my NZGP-winning Ford Ralt RT4, assiduously rebuilt and prepared by Nigel Barclay specifically for this incredible event. The George Begg Festival will undoubtedly be a highlight on the New Zealand motorsport and social calendar.”
Meanwhile, Murphy - also a recognisable figure in the Kiwi motorsport scene, his achievements counting having won the Bathurst 1000 four times among them - says the event will bring him a solid dose of nostalgia.
“Events like the George Begg Festival are much more my pace these days, completely stress-free and enjoyable. I love the history of the sport and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of beautiful machines we have here in New Zealand, and the amount of likeminded people there are,” he says.
“Teretonga was the track I got my first car racing podium at and is still a wonderful piece of asphalt to drive on. Celebrating a pioneer of the sport and driving some special cars is something I wouldn’t want to miss. I feel very privileged to be a part of this event.” But the hits just keep on coming. O’Donnell says star drivers confirmed for the George Begg Festival also included Kayne Scott and Johnny Reid.
“Having names like these guys set to compete really takes things up a notch,” he says. “To attract drivers of this kind of calibre to the George Begg Festival is a real vote of confidence in what we’re trying to do,” he says.
With a smorgasbord of racing classes – from Historic Formula Ford to Pre-1978 Classic Saloons, Historic OSCA & Shellsport to TC vs 1990s Supertourer challenge, and more – the George Begg Festival will pack plenty of horsepower.
As well as Porsche and Begg races, punters can also expect to see a Ford Capri Zakspeed and Ford Escot Zakspeed flying round the track.
“For motorsport fans, there’s a lot on offer,” O’Donnell says. “The beauty with the George Begg Festival, though, is that there’s just as much to see and do if you’re not an enthusiast.”
The George Begg Festival has partnered with Kiwi charity Cure Kids, for example, for the Begg’s Barmy Car Rally – a scavenger hunt throughout Southland on the Thursday night. On the Friday, festivalgoers will have the chance to head along to the worldrenowned collection at Bill Richardson Transport World, for the retro disco-inspired Studio GB party.
Meanwhile, out at Teretonga on all three days of racing proper, live entertainment (including festival headliners The Beat Girls, the Trends On The Track best dressed competition, a pedal car race for the kids, and on-track highlights like the Feel The Noise vehicle demo and classic tractor race), a retail precinct (with local vendors, as well as the pop-up for Invercargill’s next visitor attraction Toot Sweets, a whimsical lolly shop set to open later in 2023), a variety of food stalls slinging everything from woodfired pizzas to gourmet burgers, a Kid’s Zone full of arts, crafts, fun and games for the little ones, and Begg’s Bar (complete with a nostalgic Pimms cart) means there is something for everyone.
“We want to make the George Begg Festival a must-do New Zealand event. The support and buy-in we’ve had from people so far is huge – we’re really looking forward to it,” O’Donnell says.
Keen to compete, or head along as a spectator? Visit www.georgebeggfestival.nz to buy tickets or register today.