Jaguar enthusiast back for Classic Speedfest
MOTORSPORT
Brendon Egan It’s a long journey from Hong Kong to Invercargill, but it’s a trip classic car enthusiast Kerry Anderson is only too happy to make each year.
The New Zealand expatriate has competed in every Classic Speedfest event at Teretonga since its inception in 1992 and said it was a special weekend.
Auckland-born Anderson has lived in Asia for more than 20 years – where he worked as a flight engineer for Cathay Pacific. He will be lining up in the sports car class over the weekend in his prized Jaguar D-type replica.
Anderson has owned the vehicle since 1988 and said it was as close to a 1957 Jaguar D-type car as was possible, apart from the gearbox.
‘‘The chassis and body were built in England and I put it together in Hong Kong with some help,’’ Anderson said.
‘‘I love the shape of the car. It’s a very famous car. [The Jaguar D-type] was the first English [car manufacturer] to win Le Mans [24 hour race].’’
Anderson has had a love affair with Jaguars for most of his life and said they offered the best value for money and were elegant vehicles that handled well and had plenty of power.
He is a devoted collector of his- toric cars, possessing 15 in his garage back in Hong Kong, which includes a Carrera Porsche, MG RV8, Lotus Elan, and one of his alltime favourites, his Lola T142.
The New Zealand classic series features events in Auckland, Christchurch, Timaru and Inver- cargill, and Anderson said it was always a thrill to return to his homeland and test out his cars at the country’s top circuits.
‘‘The classic series is a jolly good event. In the space of three weekends, you’ve got three or four different circuits.’’
Anderson has a long-standing friendship with Classic Speedfest organiser Rick Michels and confessed to being a big fan of the Teretonga circuit.
‘‘It’s a special place. Teretonga is probably the most famous track in the country. Lots of really high star guys have been there. It’s the most southern track in the world. It’s pretty unique.’’
‘‘It’s only 10 minutes to the track and there’s no traffic jams,’’ he said with a laugh.
About 170 drivers have registered for the Classic Speedfest weekend across the nine classes. The event gets under way today with an unofficial practice session.