If you’re a regular reader of Vintage Racecar (and I hope you are!), then you’ve likely noticed a recent increase in the number of reports, Photo Galleries and articles from “Down Under” – Australia and New Zealand, that is. There are two good reasons for this. First, we have recently assembled a “Cracker Jack” team of contributors in the region who have been supplying the magazine with some really outstanding material. Our hats are off to author Patrick Quinn and photographer Steve Oom who have been spearheading our efforts to bring you the best from Oceania.
The second reason for the increased coverage is that while we in the Northern Hemisphere hang up our helmets during the winter months due to snow, rain and depleted bank accounts, our friends South of the equator are just entering their “summer” months and the height of a very active racing season. If your significant other has ever complained that it seems like the racing season goes on forever, just tell him/her to be thankful that you don’t migrate South for the winter – otherwise it really would!
In fact, if you look back historically, flying South for the winter is something that the professional racing community has been doing since just after World War II. If you had a chance to read Patrick Quinn’s article on the history of the Tasman Cup Series (VRJ, March 2002), then you’ll know that while racing went on winter hiatus in Europe, many of the top-line drivers headed to Australia and New Zealand to work on their tans and pick up some prize money racing in the southern sun. Drivers like Chris Amon, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Pedro Rodriguez, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt joined local talent Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Frank Matich, Jack Brabham, and Frank Gardner for some top-notch racing that nearly every driver swore was some of the most relaxed and enjoyable racing that they had ever taken part in.
What I think is particularly interesting about all this, is that while the Tasman Cup faded away by about 1976, this tradition of travelling south for a winter racing fix has continued on to this very day. Recently, I was out at one of the first West Coast races of the year, when I ran into an old racing friend. As usual, I asked him what he had been up to and he informed me that he had just gotten back from spending several weeks racing in New Zealand. He went on to tell me that this was the third year in a row that he has gone down in February to take part in New Zealand’s Southern Festival of Speed – a three-week series of races that includes road course events at Ruapona and Teratonga Raceway (used in the original Tasman Series), as well as a hillclimb at Queenstown and a street race in the town of Dunedin.
My friend went on to say that there has been a group of American historic racers who have been going down each year and that the size of the contingent has steadily grown every year. Apparently, in addition to the wonderful weather, the beautiful scenery and the friendly people, the exchange rate has been so good that it makes it very appealing financially, as well. But perhaps his most interesting point was when he said, “I can’t get over how inexpensive it is to go over to race. Last year, I shipped a couple of cars, but this year I just took my helmet and suit and rented a car. You’re not going to believe this but, I rented a Formula Ford there, with full support, for just $400 (U.S.) a weekend!” As the Crocodile Hunter would say, “Crikey! That’s a Ripper!!”
Upon further questioning, he also pointed out that the cost of racing and related services is so inexpensive there that a number of American and European competitors and collectors now think it’s less expensive to ship their cars South to be restored and then bring them back when done. As my friend continued to give me more details about his trip, I swear, he got more and more animated and his smile got bigger and bigger. This sentiment was confirmed by many of his compatriots, when I later asked them about their experiences racing Down Under.
Considering the locale, the history, the weather and the costs, I’m inclined to say, “G’day, Bruce. Tune up yer Repcos and break out the Vegemite, there’s going to be an invasion of Yanks and Brits next summer… I mean winter!”
