MEDIA RELEASE 4 DECEMBER 2006
Begg Tribute Events In Place
A wonderful programme of events has been put in place to pay tribute to George Begg and his cars at the premier classic
meeting held at Teretonga Park each year - the Leitch Motorsport/Southland Times Classic SpeedFest in February.
Begg and his cars that were built in the small Central Southland town of Drummond were southern icons in the 1960's and
70's as they took on and beat many of the world's top constructors in races in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the
UK.
The Begg Tribute is timely as it is held in the year that Teretonga Park celebrates it's 50th year and the Leitch
Motorsport/Southland Times Classic SpeedFest is the first event of a huge year at the circuit.
The SpeedFest is always a popular event drawing many priceless racing machines from around the globe and allied to the
Begg Tribute it will form an absolutely fantastic series of events over three days on 16,17 and 18 February 2007.
The activities begin with a luncheon at Drummond commencing at 11am on Friday 16 February. The function will begin with
a Mayoral Welcome from the Mayor of the Southland District, Frana Cardno plus several interesting guest speakers with
lunch to follow. After lunch many of the Begg cars that have been assembled for the weekend plus possibly some other
interesting race cars will drive on a closed section of road. This will be an historic event as one of the great tales
of the Begg era relates to how the cars were tested on the road after they emerged from the famous "toyshop". The first
Begg was tested on the roads in the area 42 years ago. Tickets for the luncheon will cost $15.00 per person.
Later that night the celebrations turn to Invercargill when a dinner is held at the Ascot Park Hotel. Once again there
will be a Mayoral Welcome, this time from Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, followed by more guest speakers and a buffet
meal. Later in the evening there will be an opportunity for a one - on - one with George Begg and motorsport historian
Michael Clark. The function begins at 7.30pm and tickets are available at a cost of $68.00 per person. The price
includes a copy of a book bound to become a collectors item, "A Tribute To George Begg (A Man and His Cars)". Tidy
casual dress is required.
On both Saturday and Sunday the Leitch Motorsport/Southland Times Classic SpeedFest will be in full swing on the 2.6
kilometre Teretonga track on the outskirts of Invercargill. Begg cars will provide a huge centrepiece of this classic
racing festival with a large marquee housing a display throughout the two days. A large number of the 18 Beggs built
will be at Teretonga and on display in the marquee over the weekend. At lunchtime on both days of the SpeedFest there
will be a parade of the Beggs and some of the cars will be driven by drivers with links to the machines. That includes
the Begg 018 now owned by Noel Atley of Invercargill. Jim Murdoch who drove the car in the 1974 and 1975 seasons will be
reunited with the car while Barry Keen will be seen in the 650 BSA Special of 1964.
Amazingly nine of the Beggs will actually race in various events at SpeedFest, the highest number of Beggs to ever race
at the same meeting.
There will be a limited number of tickets available for both the luncheon and the Friday evening function and they are
sure to be in high demand. Organisers are strongly recommending that purchases be made early. The tickets are available
now from Noel Atley, 28 McIvor Road, RD6, Invercargill 9876. Cheques should be made out to the Southland Sports Car Club
but sent to Noel Atley's address.
Ends