This country’s most notable historic and heroic cars and motorbikes are gathering for one-off display dubbed “HRC Memory Lane” at this year’s CRC Speedshow being held at the Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds on 17th and 18th of July..
The idea was sparked by race fans’ love of celebrating the winners of the day, though what about the former winners who are now embedded into the rich tapestry of Kiwi motorsport folklore?
The magical trip down HRC Memory Lane is a joint venture display between CRC Speedshow and motor race event experts, HRC Events. An eclectic mix of 20 hand-picked race cars and race bikes from yesteryear will be on view, with owners from far and wide making these priceless vehicles specially available for open admiration by the public.
Most of the machines will be instantly recognisable to CRC Speedshow show visitors, thanks to their winning performances in New Zealand in the past from 1923 to the present day.
Each car has been carefully hand-picked by a committee made up of racing experts from around New Zealand, including HRC Events manager Chris Watson who says he’s excited to see the display come together.
Among the selected is the 1915 STUTZ Indianapolis 500 Special Race car which was imported into New Zealand in 1923 and raced successfully in many events at the Muriwai Beach races and winning the New Zealand Cup outright in 1926, 1927 and 1928 when owned by Bob Wilson.
As with other CRC Speedshow unique displays, the HRC Memory Lane is set to cover a diverse range of motorsport disciplines, including circuit racing, speedway, drag racing, motorcycling, and rally.
It will be the first time in years that these race-machines have been seen together in public, so show visitors are encouraged to take as many photos and videos as they like at the show before the cars return to garages around the country.
CRC Speedshow managing director, Ross Prevette, says it’s the first time the cars and bikes have been brought together to be on show in one place, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to see them up close and personal.
“I remember some of these cars from my younger days and I’m sure many show visitors will to. They [cars and motorcycles] are truly stars in their own right and important pieces of New Zealand’s motoring history,” says the 53 year old.
“And just in case you can’t quite remember each car, and let’s face it, some of them a little bit old like us, we’ll put a rich, detailed history of each car on the CRC Speedshow website during the show,” explains Prevette.
Operations manager at HRC Events, Tim Hill says his organisation is thrilled to be involved in the CRC Speedshow, with 2016 marking the first year of the CRC Speedshow partnership.
“We are really excited to be working with CRC Speedshow and to be bringing these incredible race-cars and race-motorcycles to [CRC] Speedshow visitors. Racing is our business and it’s what we do best so we simply had to be part of this unique opportunity,” says Hill.
HRC Events is the powerhouse behind a range of events in New Zealand, including the Festival of Motor Racing, so are well placed to find the multitude of race vehicles required for this display.
The 2016/17 HRC race season includes meetings for Formula Ford, NZ Sports Cars, GTRNZ, Motul Honda Cup, NZ Superkarts, Pre 65’s, 2K Cup, NZ Superlap, NZ Supertrucks, Castrol BMW Series and Rotary enthusiasts.
For more information about 2016 CRC Speedshow events and highlights go to: www.speedshow.co.nz
