George Adams - 1992 TVR Tuscan Challenge

George is an avid TVR fan and lusted after the cars since he first saw the TVR Griffith on the cover of Performance Car in 1991. He has owned three modern era TVR’s and the opportunity to own and drive this icon from the 90’s is a privilege. Arriving in New Zealand in 2003 he was surprised and stoked to find 130+ TVR’s registered here. And the best thing is apparently that his wife Barbara completely understands. George has a modest racing experience. He is starting his second season of racing at European Race Classics (ERC Series). He has competed in the Arrows class (the faster of the two classes). He is also starting his second year at the SCCNZ Sprint series and was third overall last year.
He has been on the track for many years at race testing and has plenty of solo run experience but only converted that to racing last year.

1992 TVR Tuscan Challenge:

At 850kg and 4.6L, the TVR Tuscan Challenge car was built for the One-Make race series in the UK which was raced across iconic circuits including Brands, Silverstone, Croft, and Thruxton. Series guest drivers included Nigel Mansell, Tiff Needell, and Colin McRae. This car last competed in the Renamed Dunlop TVR European Challenge in 2011 driven by Perry Waddams who finished 4th over all that year before being shipped to New Zealand in 2012.

Barry Armiger - 1981 Mazda RX7

Barry has been competing for about 33 years now – 29 of them in this car. He did a number of rallies around the top half of the North Island many years ago but mainly does hill climbs and rally sprints in the Northland area. Most of the time he gives the 4WDs a hurry up. Barry has built and developed this car himself and does all his own engine work. He competed in the last four Race to the Sky events, winning the 2WD rally course class in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2015. He held the fastest 2WD record in 2006. Barry has finished in the top three in a number of tarmac hill climbs over the past few years. He just likes getting out there and showing the public how quick these old cars can go.

1981 Mazda RX7:

Barry built the RX7 in 1989 with the advice of Neil Allport. It was first raced in 1990 and has seen many changers over the years. The RX7 was the only car to win the Race to the Sky 2wd rally course class in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2015.

Cole Armstrong - 1999 Nissan Skyline R34

2017 and 2018 d1 drifting champion, Cole is the driver of the 2001 V Energy drink 250GT Skyline, which is powered by an 800+hp rb30/26 straight 6. He has been involved in competitive drifting for the last ten years in New Zealand and worldwide, including competing in the Chinese World Drift Series, where he placed in the top five. Cole also competed throughout Australia with the ADGP. He is the 2016 and 2017 New Zealand Drift Champion with the D1NZ Championship.

1999 Nissan Skyline R34:

The Nissan G35 Skyline with a 5 speed sequential gearbox, Holset turbo, and over 800hp at the wheels.
 

Stephen Armstrong - 1982 Mazda RX7 Group C

Stephen has been involved in motorsport since the 1980s, predominantly campaigning Mazda rotary cars at club and national level. He competed in the Production Supercar Series in a giant-killing RX3, before being part of the team that started and ran the North Island RX7 Class (now Pro7). He was also part of the Adams Rally Team building cars and navigating for Paul Adams. This is Stephen’s fourth time competing at Leadfoot.

1982 Mazda RX7 Group C:

This car was built in 2010 as a detailed replica of Alan Moffat’s Peter Stuyvesant-sponsored Mazda RX7. Alan’s car competed in the ATCC and Bathurst and he drove the RX7 to four consecutive top-six finishes at Bathurst between 1981 and 1984. It was a hero car for Mazda rotary enthusiasts. The #43 car runs a fuel-injected 13BPP motor, 6-speed sequential gearbox and factory racing hardware. It is a very detailed tribute to the actual Moffat car.

Alan Austin - 1992 Mazda RX7 Series 6 V8

Alan has been racing this car for 11 years and has competed in over 140 events . He holds several hill climb records, loves the challenge of a new event and gives it everything he has to try and beat the turbo and 4wd boys. He won the 2017-2018 Duncan MacKenzie Wellington region Hill
Climb series.

1992 Mazda RX7 Series 6 V8:

This RX7 was imported to turn into a race car. A 1UZFE was chosen as the power-plant along with a Toyota W58 gearbox. The engine was run stock standard with a link ECU and a custom-made exhaust system. BC suspension was fitted and Ferrodo pads thrown into the calipers. The gearbox lasted a year then was upgraded to an R154. Four years later the engine got pistons, cams and head work. Individual Throttle Bodies and the front brakes were up graded to Wilwood.

Fred Bailey - 1963 Ford Consul Classic

Fred is a retired mechanical engineer and has been involved in New Zealand motorsport since the mid-1960s. Fred joined the Triumph Car Club in the early 1970s with Allan Woolf and his team and he raced his Falcon UTE at Baypark and other club events. Fred then joined the Auckland Car Club in the mid-1970s, where he is still a member – competing in club and national race meetings with a Mini Cooper S, Ford GTHO Falcon, Ford RS2000 and Anglia twin cam.

1963 Ford Consul Classic:

This 1963 Ford Consul Classic Two Door Saloon is a very rare original 116E 1500cc two-door model. It was assembled in England and is possibly one of only two left in New Zealand.
Fred rebuilt this car some years ago for motorsport events, making a fibreglass bonnet, boot, front guards and bumpers to help reduce it’s weight. The engine is still the original non-cross flow design and is fitted with twin side draft weber carbs.
Fred says it is still fun to drive and a great challenge for an “”old boy and an old classic””.

Aidan and John Barrett - 1999 JGTC Mazda RX-7 GT300

John started racing in 1968 in a Mini Cooper S 1293cc with his brother Murray as Team Barrett. They raced at Pukekohe, Levin, Bay Park and Ruapuna. A move to Taupo in the 1970s saw John join the Peugeot Rally Team for the New Zealand round of the international rally in the Group B era. Then he joined the Mitsubishi World Rally team in 1987 with the VR-4 Galant. John introduced his son Aidan to racing, continuing the Team Barrett tradition. Aidan has a love for rotaries which has developed with his dad over the years. Aidan is lucky to have a Dad passionate about motorsport and they now share the seat & memories.

1999 JGTC Mazda RX-7 GT300:

The “Golden era of Japanese motorsport” is pretty much anything from the early nineties through to around 2003. When Skylines, RX7s, NSXs, Silivas, Mclarens, Porches, Supras were all battling it out on track. This the RE Amemiya & Mazdaspeed Japan built JGTC GT300 RX7 competed in the 2000 – 2001 championship. It is powered by a peripheral port 20B engine that was restricted to 300hp via a FIA air restrictor. It is restored to the 2000 spec that won the first ever fly away round at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit & other podium finishes throughout the season. Its also competed in the 2001 1000km race at Suzuka among many others. Some will also remember this car as one of the “unlockable” cars featured on the Gran Turismo 2 video game.

Kayne Barrie - 1987 BMW E30 M3

Kayne has competed in the NZRC Kiwi2 class with a Nissan Sunny then moved to a Grp N 2wd Ford Fiesta ST150 and selected as the wildcard entry for the Fiesta Sporting Trophy at Motorsport’s UK base.

His business Kayne Barrie Motorsport specialises in BMW, motorsport driveline and race preparation. He prides himself on well prepared, and well presented race cars. Having built and run a BMW 550i V12 rally car which won the ‘First V8 Home’ trophy at the Otago Classic Rally, Kayne is now restoring a historic BMW 2002 owned previously by Roger Anderson.

1987 BMW E30 M3:

The car has been active many years in the BMW Race Driver Series and Hampton Downs festival meetings. Having started life in the South Island as a classic race car, it came north and underwent a conversion to make it more like a touring car of that era. Now running a replica livery of the 1989 winning DTM Championship No 15 Schnitzer car driven by Roberto Ravaglia. This M3 has a close ratio gearbox, 300hp 2.5L engine and 3 piece wheels to give it that authentic look. It sounds great at speed and is always entertaining to drive.

Craig Bartosh - 1974 Ford Capri

At the age of 13 Craig bought his first Moto X bike and raced competitively for 12 years then when he met his wife and family commitments took over for a few years. By the age of 35 he had restored a couple of classic cars and had a nice collection. By chance Craig was offered an old Capri race car that had been sitting in a shed for a long time, formally owned by Owen Lloyd. After a lot of work, he got her to the track hill climbs, sprints etc and 20 years on he is still having fun.

1974 Ford Capri:

1974 Ford Capri with Cosworth rear wing, Spax suspension all round, 2lt turbo engine producing 370 hp on 14 pound boost, 6speed gearbox, Falcon ute rear end, Willwood brakes with the dry weight of 900 kgs. Best time at Manfeild 114.1. Winner of the 2015 GT Championship Manfeild Winter Series. The build was finished in 2007 but due to a crash in 2010 the car was rebuilt to the spec you see

Kat Benson - 2001 Mitsubishi Evolution 7

Kat is a Time Attack champion who competes behind the wheel of her BurgerFuel Mitsubishi Evolution 7. She is a leading advocate for women coming through in motorsport and has flown the Kiwi flag twice at World Time Attack Challenge (Australia). With considerably more power than it’s last appearance at Leadfoot Festival 2015/2016, Kat isn’t coming just to make up numbers, she will be attacking the hill to continue her run of personal bests.

2001 Mitsubishi Evolution 7:

Kat’s championship winning 2001 BurgerFuel Mitsubishi Evolution 7 has been hitting circuits around New Zealand since 2014. She has competed locally in the NZ SuperLap Series, 4 & Rotary Jamboree, along with 2 previous Leadfoot Festival attendances in 2016 & 2017. Additionally, Kat and her team have taken the car on 2 international trips to Australia competing on the global stage for World Time Attack Challenge at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Over the past 2 years, the BurgerFuel Evo 7 has undergone a raft of upgrades, including: a displacement increase taking the 4G63 engine from 2.0 to 2.3 litres; KAPS dogbox transmission; MCA coilover suspension upgrade; complete Link Engine Management suite; various Turbosmart products to control the boost coming from the new Borgwarner EFR turbo; Sinco Exhaust system; full race brake package; plus an overhaul of the aero kit. Power levels are now at a comfortable 430kw on low boost setting of 18psi running through the Wavtrac differential to ultra soft Nitto NT01 tyres wrapped around lightweight 18×10.5” Enkei RPF1 wheels. Not only is this vehicle a wild racecar, it is still fully road legal which makes it one crazy street machine if the desire arises.
 

Shane Blucher - 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Spec C

Growing up a farmer’s son, he learned to operate tractors, trucks and excavators from age 7. After military service and some years in international security work, he returned to New Zealand. Having owned many performance cars and MX bikes, a major knee injury forced a move to caged competition. After competing in a scratch built rotary escort and many drives in a BDA escort leading to the purchase of his current class 10 WRX extreme Subaru competing in Targa, Superlap and Northland Car Club events.

2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Spec C:

The WRX was built new by Possum Bourne Motorsport as spare for the Motor Image Team to FIA group N specifications for the Asia Pacific rally championships but was never used. Purchased by the Jansen family in Christchurch for Paul to compete in on tarmac then Tony Gosling, of Stadium Cars bought the Subaru to complete in two rally’s before Shane purchased it in 2015 with only 3000km on it and unscratched. The WRX had not competed until Targa Hawkes Bay 2017 where the gearbox failed landing off a bridge in stage ten. HiTech Motorsport upgraded it to compete in class 10 – the extreme open 4WD class.

Andy Booth - 1977 Ford Works Escort RS1800

A familiar name to New Zealand motorsport fans, Andy was part of the ‘establishment’ of NZV8 racing for over a decade. The first driver to win back-to-back championships (2004/2005), his honours’ list also includes New Zealand Grand Prix and Tasman series titles. Andy’s entertaining and aggressive driving style was developed early on in European single seater racing, before returning to New Zealand to be put to good use in the local V8 racing scene.

1977 Ford Works Escort RS1800:

This car was built by Ford at Boreham, England. During the 1978 season it was driven by Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen and Bjorn Waldegard. Hannu won the 1979 Motogard Rally of New Zealand driving this rally car. Following this event, the car was sold to New Caledonia, with Jean-Louis Leyraud returning to New Zealand to compete in it and place 7th in the 1982 Rally of New of New Zealand. The car returned to New Zealand in 2002 for a full restoration by Peter Davidson and Blair Woodhead. With its original body shell, engine, running gear and interior, it is regarded worldwide as being one of the most original Ford Works Escort rally cars in existence today.

Andrew Breach - 2000 Toyota Altezza

Andrew has always had a passion for motorsport, motocross and trail riding from a young age. Pit crewing for speedway cars got him hooked to one day get a race car of his own. He purchased his first race car in 2006 – a Class E, pre ’92, EVO1 rally car. He has had much success over many years of racing rally and hill climbs.

2000 Toyota Altezza:

The Toyota Altezza was approximately a 4 year build in Andrews garage. With the Help of Ross Honor they shoe horned in a 2JZ and Tremec TR6060 Gearbox. The Wide Body kit was fabricated in house (kitchen). The Car was originally built with Targa in mind so emphasis was in strength not light weight. The car has only competeted a handful of Local Street and Rally Sprints, a couple of GTRNZ circuit meetings and recently competed in the Waimate 50.
 

Jase Brown - 1990 Nissan S13 Silvia

Jase Brown currently competes in New Zealand’s D1NZ Pro Drifting series. Jase has been doing competitive drifting for over 4 years. He received the awards for smoke machine and best presented car at the 2018 D1NZ awards. Jase’s success has gained international recognition and allowed him to compete at 2018 World Time Attack International Drift Challenge.

1990 Nissan S13 Silvia:

Known as #07FRANKENSTEIN, the car started as a S13 Nissan Silvia shell. Jase custom fit a Rocket Bunny V2 BOSS body kit designed for a latter model Silvia. The engine that was fit to #07FRANKENSTEIN started as a speedway super-stock Toyota/Lexus 1UZFE and then a massive Detroit supercharger was added. A Nascar 4 speed gearbox sends over 650hp to the rear wheels.

Russell Burling - 1950 Cooper Donland Special

Russell is a 45 year veteran of the New Zealand and Australian motor industry and a recent competitor in New Zealand sports car racing. He was a Suzuki factory Moto Cross mechanic for Craig Coleman in Europe in 1978/79/80.
A collector and restorer of cars and motor cycles, his collection includes 2007 Lotus 211 (number 005) the first 211 produced for sale and used by Lotus as an internal motor show car, 1974 Suzuki RN400 works bike, 1994 Suzuki Super Bike works replica fitted with a factory racing engine.
Russell lives in Taupo and is an advisor and consultant to Mahindra and Mahindra.

1950 Cooper Donland Special:

Jack Brabham drove this car at the current Australian GP circuit in the early 1950s. Built by the Cooper Car Company Mk1Vb and shipped to John Crouch in Australia. In 1951 John Crouch sold it to a very young Jack Brabham.
It was Jacks first single seat road racing car. Jack brought the car without an engine and then fitted a BSA 500 engine to it. After some time, he then brought a Vincent motor cycle and fitted the engine in the Cooper. Jack owned the car until 1954 when it was sold on to several owners over the next few years.

Poul Christie - 1967 Lotus Cortina Mk11

Poul raced in the NZ Offshore Powerboat Championship from 1974 – 1978. He also competed in the 1976 NZ Jetboat Championship and was second in the World Jetboat Championship Canada in 1977. His on-land competitions include the NZ Touring Car Championship in 1984 – winning Class C in 1985. In 1986 Poul started historic racing in the Lotus Cortina you see today. He has done historic F5000 racing from 1994 until 2015 winning the A Class Championship five times.

1967 Lotus Cortina Mk11:

Colin Cole - 1979 Ford Escort RS 1800

Colin has been competing in rallies and club events from the age of about 17. Serving his apprenticeship at Masport he grew up watching the Masport rally team and got hooked on Ford Escorts. He has built his own RS1800 and brings it to Leadfoot for a second time after experiencing this great event for the first time in 2018.

1979 Ford Escort RS 1800:

This Ford Escort started life as a rusted-out 1600 Sport. Over eight years Colin built it up to be a modern version of a historic Ford Escort RS1800. Owning an engineering business, Colin made and machined about 90% of the parts in the car. Instead of a classic BDG engine it has a dry-sumped Honda S2000 motor putting out about 250hp and a new for this year 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Graeme Coley - 2001 Audi RS4

After being brought up watching and participating in gravel rallying with the Hibiscus Motorsport Club, Graeme was an avid follower of the Millen boys as they lived nearby in Mairangi Bay and he recalls watching Rod Millen in the V6 buggy on a ‘test’ course through the suburban streets. Graeme has since returned to racing and caught the Targa bug but wanted to compete in something really interesting. The Audi proved to be a hit with the spectators as it is a station wagon and Graeme secured a top five outright finish in a Targa event. He also competes in the 2K Cup and endurance races.

2001 Audi RS4:

The car was built brand new with no expense spared by Ron McMillan at Road Race and Rally for the Targa. It features MCA suspension and Movit brakes, otherwise is in production form. The Audi RS4 has a twin turbo V6 tuned by Cosworth and can be tuned to 1000hp. Only 600 RHD were produced worldwide and only 36 came to NZ. The car was successfully campaigned by John McIntyre and Mike Eady to win in the Manfeild 4hr round of the endurance series. It returned to Targa trim in 2007 and has been campaigned in Targa events since. It is one of only two known B5 RS4 station wagons made into race cars in the world.

Josh Coppins - 2018 Yamaha YZ450

Josh retired from racing in 2013 after his successful professional motocross career in Europe and Australia. During his seventeen years professional racing, Josh had thirteen world championship race wins and was runner-up world champion twice. He is now Team Owner/Manager of motocross team Altherm JCR Yamaha and has a training facility based in Motueka, Nelson. Over the four years, his team has won nine national titles.

2018 Yamaha YZ450:

The 2018 Yamaha YZ450 is a state-of-the-art bike, featuring numerous changes and some of the most innovative technology available to the consumer to date. As a test rider for Yamaha, Josh has been lucky enough to be involved in the research and development of this model and is looking forward to enjoying its benefits at the 2018 Leadfoot Festival.

Carl Cox - 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback Shelby GT350R

One of the world’s most-recognised DJs, Carl is also addicted to anything with an engine! From collecting motorcycles, English classic cars and historic American muscle cars, he’s now out on track regularly himself, although normally he is piloting a 2000hp Ford Capri drag car and a Porsche GT3RS. This is his first time running up the hill at the Leadfoot Festival and Carl will show his love for classic British Fords by being behind the wheel of a MK1 RS2000 Ford Escort.

1965 Ford Mustang Fastback Shelby GT350R:

Historically accurate Shelby Mustang GT350R code specification circuit car. There have been no expenses spared to keep this car period correct with 331 Ford Racing powered V8, MSD ignition, 4 speed manual transmission, light body, fiberglass hood/trunk, and Hoosier Rag-tyres. Currently a conservative 450 HP. A recent full restoration was performed by Dale Mathers at Coastline Automotive in Tauranga. This car produces an amazing V8 soundtrack and goes as well as it looks!

Sloan Cox - 2004 Hillclimb Special Evo 8

Sloan started competing in the New Zealand Rally Championship at 15 years old and was accepted into the Elite Motorsport Academy. At 18, he upgraded to the current Taslo Engineering Evo 10 rally car. Sloan became the 2010 and 2016 New Zealand Junior Rally Champion and the New Zealand Hillclimb Champion in 2011/12. At the end of 2014 the Hillclimb Evo was purchased for Sloan to compete at more high profile events, such as Race to the Sky 2015, where he finished fourth. At the 2015 Leadfoot Festival, which was also Sloan’s first event in this car, he finished fourth and a year later finished on the podium in third. The last two years Sloan has finished second overall behind Alistair McRae and he will be pushing hard to knock Alistair off the top spot. Over the last year Sloan has been competing in Europe in the RallyCross Academy in a front wheel drive Renault Cilo and he hopes the skills he has learnt will help contribute to the win.

2004 Hillclimb Special Evo 8:

Cox Motorsport have owned the Hillclimb Evo since 2015 and the modifications are getting better every year. It has a 6-speed sequential Holinger gearbox with the lowest gear ratio giving the car a super-fast take off. It has a Borg Warner EFR Turbo for more power low down and weighs 1,000kg. A fresh tune gave it over 500kw at the wheels, but its 6 pot front brake calipers, 4 pot rear brake calipers can pull it up with ease. The Evo has a custom space frame set up and great power to weight ratio. Since last year’s event, there has been a focus on balancing the car and the radiator has now been rear mounted and suspension work has been done to improve the handling.

Steve Cox - 1984 Toyota Starlet

With over 30 years of racing, Steve has competed in and been involved in all sorts. He began at club events like hill climbs, sprints and motokanas. Then he progressed to the Wellington Street Race back in the 1980s and numerous national and international rallying events, plus karting at both a local and national level.
Steve has also competed in circuit racing throughout New Zealand.
This is Steve’s sixth visit to Leadfoot, and the second time in something other than his F40 replica. He has a wide range of experience in circuit and rally cars and also spent a few years in karts. He is looking forward to showing off the new addition to the fleet, his reincarnation of a 1984 Toyota Starlet Group A rally car.

1984 Toyota Starlet:

Newly built for 2018, the Starlet is as it was were run in the 1980’s with modern safety equipment and seats. To has a 4K 1300 CC engine and revs to 8500, dog gearbox and great suspension to help it cope with the rigors of rallying. It was built for the Silver Fern Rally last year and Steve intends on running it in the National Rally Championship in the Historic 2WD class.

Barry Cutelli - 2009 Radical sr3 RS

Barry’s interest in anything fast started in his very early 20’s when he raced Speedway. Moving on to Jet Boat Marathon Racing and winning the North Island twin rivers title, he held the Wanganui river record, and is still the fastest New Zealand boat to this day. He later in life purchased a 1992 Fraser Clubman followed by a Radical sr3 when the racing bug got the better of him. Hill climbs and street sprints became favourites and he competed in over 30 events with over 20 plus class wins. This led to the purchase of Barry’s current car… a Radical sr3 RS.

2009 Radical sr3 RS:

Imported from the UK by Derick Neil from Christchurch three years ago after purchasing the Radical from Mecktec Motorsport. The Radical had a major rebuild in 2012 by Radical Performance bringing it up to full FIA specs. The car runs a RPE 1475 Hyabussa – 6 speed sequential gears box – paddle shift with flat shift auto blip. Barry purchased the Radical earlier this year to run in street sprints and hill climbs. First event was the Stratford Street Sprint the car won first overall.

Paul Dallenbach - 2000 Wells Coyote PD01

Paul has raced a wide variety of cars ranging from saloons to formula
cars, including Indy Lights, Formula Atlantics, Daytona Prototype, S2000, Trans-AM and Super Vee. With one day of practice Paul made his mark during the 1991 Pikes Peak Hill Climb finishing 5th in the Open Wheel Class out of 25 cars.
Just two years later in 1993, Paul broke the overall record in his open wheel car that was set by Ari Vatanen. Paul also won the CHCA (Colorado Hill Climb Association) hill climb championship and set records at the Land’s End Hill Climb that still stand today. Paul has won overall at Pikes Peak three times and is a 9 time class winner. Paul is also a two-time Colorado Hill Climb Champion and has achieved a second place at the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2018, Paul had wins at Temple Canyon and Lands End Hill climbs with the 2003 4×4 Wells Coyote “Dallenbach Special”

2000 Wells Coyote PD01:

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winner in 2000.
It has a 410 ci Small block Chevy, is four wheel drive.
It is only 1 of 3 4×4 Pikes Peak Open Wheel cars built by Wells.
2018 Paul entered 2 CHCA hill climbs and finished 1st overall in both. Temple Canyon and Lands
End Hill Climbs. Also won the 2018 Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Open Wheel in the other Dallenbach Special.

Grant Dalton - 2018 Radical SR8

Grant is a professional sailor who started sailing aged 8 and went on to be awarded an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours, for services to yachting. He has raced around the world seven times; the first five as part of the Whitbread Round the World Race.

His other passion is motor racing and in 2014, aged 57, Grant entered the Manx Grand Prix as a newcomer, and also the F1 Classic TT.
Grant’s 2014 Classic TT was a baptism of fire, given his lack of relevant experience. His best lap in qualifying in 2014 on his F1 Suzuki was 141.298kmh and he did not finish the Classic F1 TT, which was won by Kiwi Bruce Anstey at a race average speed of 195.691kph. However, Grant was back in 2015 and qualified for the F1 TT with a lap of 161.010kph. He also finished the 2015 Classic F1 TT.

2018 Radical SR8:

The awesome Radical SR8, launched in 2005 and powered by the high-revving, 380bhp Powertec RPV8 engine, brought Le Mans Prototype pace to the national racing scene. The mighty RPE RPV8 was designed, developed and manufactured in-house, and the car now holds several circuit out-right lap records, including the highly sought prize of the production car record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The latest-generation 2.7 litre engine sets lap times comparable to LMP machinery on a fraction of the budget and continues to draw acclaim for established endurance racers the world over

Steve Day - 1959 Briggs Mercury V8 Special

Steve Day is a New Plymouth-based engineering company director with a passion for early and historic New Zealand race cars. Steve has competed in various car club and Vintage Car Club events and owns a collection of historic, Australian and American muscle cars.

1959 Briggs Mercury V8 Special:

The Briggs Mercury Special is an historic New Zealand race car built by Brian Briggs, a relative of Barry Briggs of speedway fame. The car has an extensive motor racing history, running at Waimate, Ruapuna, Teretonga, plus beach racing in Nelson and numerous street events. The chassis is a combination of a Zeded Model A Ford chassis, hand-made aluminum body, and early V8 running gear with an Offenhauser equipped flathead V8 engine. The car is in the final stages of a full ground up restoration to compete in motorsport events.

Andy Duffin - 1996 Mazda RX7

With a passion for Rotary-engined vehicles stemming from a misspent youth Andy turned to circuit racing to satisfy his need for speed! Starting his racing in the S22000 series in 1996 in a modified RX7 he quickly got the bug. After a break of several years, when the time was right, he purchased a Pro7 car. Three NZ titles later and it was time to go back to SS2000. Winning that championship in 2011/2012 his dream of racing a 20b or 3 rotor engine in the GTRNZ was realised. A big crash driving a friend’s Nissan at the V8 supercar meeting at Pukekohe in 2013 and a trip to hospital nearly ended his motorsport days. Andy recovered and won the GT2 2014/2015 title.

1996 Mazda RX7:

This is New Zealand’s fastest RX7 after being built in a mate’s dad’s garage in Hamilton, to compete in SS2000. It runs a 20b 3 rotor engine, is naturally-aspirated and makes around 515hp. The car had some serious aero added to it for competing at World Time Attack Challenge in Sydney, which it has been to twice. The RX7 will be running NOS for the Leadfoot Festival and that should give it a further 200hp! Last year it finished fifth overall, fastest naturally-aspirated car and fastest 2WD in the final 10. Leadfoot has become one of Andy’s favourite events on the NZ motorsport calendar.

Ian Ffitch - 2002 BRM 1000 Superquad LT500R/GSXR1000

Ian has accumulated close to 40 national titles over nearly 30 years of racing. He has enjoyed success overseas and was the only non-American rider to win a United States national title achieving this back in 1996. Ian took 3rd in the prestigious 12 hours of Pont De Vaux in France in 1999 however some of his most special moments have being achieved at home competing on his Superquad at not only Race to the Sky but here at the Leadfoot Festival. At Race to the Sky Ian regularly placed in the top ten overall taking out top position in the quads all but once when he had a DNF. But bigger than all this was when he became the inaugural winner of the Possum Bourne Memorial trophy for his 3rd overall and 1st resident Kiwi home in 2004 – a feat he repeated at the last edition of the race in 2015.

2002 BRM 1000 Superquad LT500R/GSXR1000:

This Superquad was hand-crafted by 2 Way Industries with pure speed and handling in mind to conquer Race to the Sky and although it’s definitely not designed for tarmac and it’s a handful, it’s still fun to ride at Leadfoot. It started as an early 1990’s Suzuki LT500R 2 stroke quad before being replaced with a 2001 GSXR1000R in 2002. The original frame was modified to take the larger engine and only 20% of the frame is original and only 10% of the whole bike is original, with the rest custom-built. The engine package putting out around 140 rear wheel horsepower was sorted by Auckland’s BRM Dyno tune while the rest was built by 2 Way Industries’ owner Jason Way in Auckland. The suspension is custom-built by PEP suspension, in America, and handles the extra weight and power and maximises the many tuning features. The BRM1000 has a more than 230kmh top speed.

Ian Ffitch - 2008 HONDA TRX450R

Ian has accumulated close to 40 national titles over nearly 30 years of racing. He has enjoyed success overseas and was the only non-American rider to win a United States national title achieving this back in 1996. Ian took 3rd in the prestigious 12 hours of Pont De Vaux in France in 1999 however some of his most special moments have being achieved at home competing on his Superquad at not only Race to the Sky but here at the Leadfoot Festival. At Race to the Sky Ian regularly placed in the top ten overall taking out top position in the quads all but once when he had a DNF. But bigger than all this was when he became the inaugural winner of the Possum Bourne Memorial trophy for his 3rd overall and 1st resident Kiwi home in 2004 – a feat he repeated at the last edition of the race in 2015.

2008 HONDA TRX450R:

This 2008 HONDA TRX450R has a highly modified engine from Sparks Engine Racing USA, but runs the standard bore and stroke making it 450ccs. It runs a standard frame with mostly aftermarket chassis components. The suspension is by United States’ company PEP and its A-arms and steering components are made by Laeger custom fabricators. Its top speed is 120kmh but it is light, so you can be freely aggressive on the tarmac.

Jimmy Ford - 1977 Pontiac Firebird

Jimmy started racing quarter midgets at the age of 9. At the age of 16 he was too old to race quarter midgets and was offered his fathers 1977 Pontiac Firebird hill climb car. He raced the Colorado Hill Climb along with some land speed and dirt modified events. Since then he has been involved in only the hill climbs and is really excited to check the Leadfoot Festival off of his bucket list.

1977 Pontiac Firebird:

This 1977 Pontiac Firebird has a Chevy 350 engine, a Muncie 4 speed transmission, a mostly stock suspension, and a Ford 9 inch. This car was Jimmy’s father’s high school car before it was transformed into a race car. He has been helping tune on this car since a tiny boy until he became old enough to drive it. It has always been a way to bring the family and friends together and fulfill the need for speed.
 

Matt Gaskin - 1990 R32 Nissan Skyline Quad Cam V8

Growing up in a Motorsport family it was inevitable that Matt would get the bug. His family has several national speedway titles to their name. After a stint on the dirt qualifying for multiple national titles and winning a Wellington championship Matt decided to give tarmac racing a go. Matt has competed in several Targa New Zealand events always finishing. He has won numerous hill climbs and strives for top results at every event. “There’s not much that beats the excitement of racing on a new hill with cold tyres and brakes.”

1990 R32 Nissan Skyline Quad Cam V8:

The R32 Skyline started out life with a RB25 turbo and 5 speed factory gearbox. It now runs an all alloy Nissan Quad cam VK56 V8. Same engine used by the Kelly brothers in the V8 supercars but with less restrictions. The engine is dry sumped, has 13 to 1 compression and produces 580hp at the wheels running on e85 fuel. It has custom built CNC’d manifolds and throttle bodies. Gearbox is a TT Industries 5 speed sequential. Engine Management is controlled by a Link G4 extreme ECU which enables flat shifting and launch control.

Peter Goodwin - Louise Blythe - 2008 Suzuki K8 1000cc

‘Pete the Pirate’ Goodwin, with ‘Ken-Doll’ Dunlop are current NZSBK National Sidecar Champions. Competing as Team-Pirate, looking to retain the Championship this 2019 racing year. Albeit Ken-Doll is taking a year out, and the new team passenger being Louise Blythe. In their first year together, Kendal won her inaugural meeting, and finished 3rd in the Sidecar Championship that 2017 season. Pirate Pete raced in sidecars for five years in the UK, before moving to New Zealand. Before that racing in the Grass-Track Sidecar class for seven years. Team Pirate have close ties with Carl Cox Motorsport.

2008 Suzuki K8 1000cc:

The LCR chassis is made in Switzerland by Louis Christian and holds a 2008 Suzuki engine 1000c GSXR. .
The rear slick tyre is 10 inches wide by 14 inches in diameter. If the track is wet then the switch to a patterned treated tyre. Front tyre is 8 inches wide by 13 inches in diameter Slick Tyre. The Sidecar tyre is 10 inches wide- by 13 inches in diameter. Fuel used is 98 Octane. Gear change is a semi-automatic button change.
The Suzuki offers an integrated brake-system operated by the left foot only and a conventional wrist operated throttle.

Chris Green - 1974 Mazda RX3 Savanna GT

Chris is the younger of the two brothers that make up Green Brothers Racing. He is passionate about all things automotive but especially the Mazda rotary engine. An accomplished drag racing pilot, Chris has driven the Green Brothers Racing ‘shop wagon’ to a very respectable 8.8 second quarter mile. Not bad considering it’s a street-driven 323 station wagon! Chris is driving Andy Duffin’s RX3 Savanna GT coupe as a way of repayment for all the hard work he has done on Andy’s Time Attack RX7.
Instead of swinging spanners Chris will enjoy driving at an event – although Andy still expects him to work on the RX7 between runs!

1974 Mazda RX3 Savanna GT:

This RX3 Savanna GT coupe was imported from Japan in the condition you see it in today. Although only used for karting shows and the odd sealed event in Japan, it has many rare and hard to find accessories on it that were purchased from Mazda dealers back in the day – including those crazy wheel arch flares!
Now belonging to Andy Duffin, it will have a complete rebuild over winter including a full roll cage and a significant upgrade in the engine department. The engine and driveline remain relatively stock at the moment although the 13×9 inch front and 13×11 rear wheels make for plenty of grip. It is piloted by Chris Green of Green Brothers Racing fame for this event.

Neil Greene - 1955 Ford Anglia 100E

Neil has been involved in motorsport for more than 35 years. He started initially as a crew member with his brother then turned to racing for himself during the last 20 years in his Anglia. He is a regular competitor in Classic racing events around the country as well as being involved in Classic Rallying in a little Datsun 1200. He has also been involved with Karting for many years. Neil was born and bred in Dunedin and loves it there.

1955 Ford Anglia 100E:

The 1955 Ford Anglia 100E has significant New Zealand racing history having competed in OSCA and Shell Sport racing in the early 1970’s before being rebuilt by the original owner (Mr Neville Boon) to compete in Classic Racing events from the late 1990’s. It is and has been since 1972, powered by a 2000cc Cortina Pinto engine and gearbox. It still retains complete period componentry including ignition points and rubber suspension bushes.

Darren Groube - 1982 Holden Commodore SS

Darren is small business owner from Whanganui with a passion for New Zealand’s rich motoring history and its drivers. He is the proud owner of the two GM Dealer team cars originally owned by Sir Colin Giltrap and raced in the 1982 Benson and Hedges Saloon Car series and driven by Denny Hulme, Peter Brock, David Oxton and Peter Janson. You can easily spot Darren in the paddock wearing his original Bruce McLaren racing team uniform from the 1970’s.

1982 Holden Commodore SS:

This car was originally owned new by Sir Colin Giltrap and raced in the 1982 New Zealand Benson and Hedges Saloon Car Series by 1967 Formula One World Champion Denny Hulme and Australian Peter Janson. It was part of a two car General Motors Dealer Team effort with the sister car driven by David Oxton and Peter Brock. This sister car is also owned by Darren. The car runs a worked 308 V8 in conjunction with production spec running gear. It is 1 of only 30 cars made in New Zealand with the aim to win the series.

Ken Gushi - 2015 Toyota GT86 2JZ

Ken Gushi is an international competitor in the sport of drifting. Youngest successful competitor in both the D1 Grand Prix of Japan and the Formula Drift Championships when he was 16 despite not passing his driving test at the time. Career highlights include multiple top-3 Series finishes in the Formula Drift Pro Championships, Exhibition-class win at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Pro-Class win. Current member of the SAG union, performing on-screen stunt work for multiple automotive manufacturers.

2015 Toyota GT86 2JZ:

Keith Hamnett - 1979 Vauxhall Chevette

Self-confessed petrol-head, Keith has a life-long love of all things cars, but high on the bucket list for many years has been the Leadfoot Festival.
Starting out in the United Kingdom, Keith’s passion was for stock car racing and rallying, both behind the wheel and as part of a service crew. He moved to New Zealand in 2007 and re-kindled his love of motorsport, so retirement has never really been a consideration, because the lure of a V8 has proved too much.
The Chevette was Keith’s last rally car in the United Kingdom, and when this particular car was seen at Hampton Downs with Tony Lynch, he just had to own it – especially because it was in the exact colour of the rally car. A dream come true.

1979 Vauxhall Chevette:

Re-engineered from the suspension upwards, this 1979 Chevette is a dream to drive. It was built for Targa and circuit racing. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, the Chevette has a 4-litre Lexus V8 engine which has been completely reworked, producing 327hp and 288 ft. pounds of torque. With a top speed of 260kph (plus) and a rev limit of 8500rpm it makes for an exciting ride. The gearbox is a Toyota W55 Supra 5-speed with a custom gear set and the rear axle is a modified Hilux LSD 4.5:1. All the brakes and both front and rear suspension have been custom-engineered for the car.
 

Duncan Hart - 2013 Yamaha Supermoto YZF450

Duncan is a 41-year-old from Tauranga. He is married to Kelly and they have two boys Connor and Asher.
He raced club motocross at 19 years old, then moved into Supermoto, racing all over New Zealand with success over the last few years. Duncan won street races and the Suzuki Tri series, three years in succession.
He also competed at the Burt Munro Challenge, winning a national title in the hill climb.

2013 Yamaha Supermoto YZF450:

This bike is a modified motocross bike, with the modifications including 320mm front disc and 4 pot calliper; shortened and widened swingarm and 17″ x5″.5 rear wheel 16″ front wheel. The suspension modifications are a quickshifter, custom twin exhausts, ported head, motard-spec camshafts, modified air box, undercut gearbox gears, high compression piston and anything else Duncan can think of to get an advantage over the opposition. 

Andrew Hawkeswood - 2017 Mazda 2 AP4

Andrew started racing dirt track cars at Meremere Dirt Track Club aged 15 and competed in his first hill climb at age 17. He has been involved in national championship rallying since 1995, but only committed to full seasons four times in the last 20 years. He has finished on the podium three times. Andrew was a National Hill Climb Champion in 2002; has competed in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship and has been to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb twice – narrowly missing victory there in 2005 due to a puncture. He has also raced off-roaders, off-shore power boats, speedway, endurance racing and the Hump 100 Camel Race. After finishing runner-up three times over the years, Andrew won his first New Zealand Rally Championship in November 2017.

2017 Mazda 2 AP4:

This is the latest version of the new generation AP4 rally cars being built by Force Motorsport for the New Zealand Rally Championship. They are now being exported to Australia and China. This car runs a larger 2.2-litre engine, which puts out about 500hp and it will be sporting carbon-fibre panels to keep its weight down.

Steve Hildred - 1969 HT Holden Monaro Red

Steve is owner of Steve Hildred Motors in New Plymouth specializing in engine building, Dyno Tuning and Low Volume Vehicle Certification. Steve is a founding member of Central Muscle Cars [CMC] and was President from 2003 to 2011, currently Club Patron and Life Member. In 1970 Steve started out racing in a straight line as a Drag Racer, racing several different cars until the early 1990’s, winning a number of national class

1969 HT Holden Monaro Red:

This car was built by Steve from the ground up in 1993 with a number of modifications since it’s build. It has a 406 cubic inch Chev race engine and 4 speed Jerrico gearbox with high performance brakes. Steve has raced this car at many tracks and race events, the most recent ones were the Wellington Street Race, Hamilton Street Races, Muscle Car Masters Eastern Creek Sydney, and Bathurst 2016 racing with TCM Cars

Leigh Hopper - 2004 Subaru STi C Spec RA

Leigh Hopper is a regular competitor in Targa events. He entered his first Targa event in 2007 in a standard WRX STi Subaru only to bin it on the fourth day. Having caught the bug, subsequent Targa entries have generally been Subaru variants running in the modified 4WD category with registration HTR969. With five event wins, Leigh is a top contender but also carries a healthy reputation for regularly binning his cars (fortunately no injuries) including shaving some bark off a 1m diameter pine tree here at the Leadfoot Festival Hopefully he will survive the main Targa event to line-up at Leadfoot in 2017.

2004 Subaru STi C Spec RA:

This is a Subaru STi C spec RA Targa car. It has many of the mechanical components of Leigh’s previous Targa cars. The last car experienced an unceremonious encounter with a power pole during the prologue for the October 2015 Targa Rally. Built by Leigh’s nephew Ricky Gray of Mach1 Engineering, the car has a healthy 400kw output and is coupled to a 6 speed Modena sequential gearbox. Extracting reliability has been a progressive exercise over the years and Leigh has made incremental improvements and adjustments to keep up with and on occasions ahead of other competitors with far more modern computer-assisted technology.

Jeremy Hosking - 1969 McLaren M8B

Jeremy is a 43-year-old Civil Engineer from Auckland and a long-time motorsport fan. Jeremy raced Yamaha and Rotax karts around the North Island for a number of seasons in the early 2000s. After several years away from the sport, Jeremy purchased the McLaren M8B replica and has campaigned and presented the car at various events and shows around the country.

1969 McLaren M8B:

The car is a visual replica of Denny Hulme’s 1969 McLaren M8B Can-Am car. The McLaren team (Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme) driving McLaren M8B cars, swept the 1969 Can-Am season, winning every single race. This car was built in New Zealand in 2009. It weighs in at 650kg and features a modified all-aluminium GM V8 with four Dell’Orto carburetors, mated to an Audi 5-speed transaxle. The #5 car ran demonstration laps at the inaugural Historic GP in Taupo in 2017.

Barry Howard - 1947 Bruce McLaren Stanford Special

Barry’s first racing experience was in 1975 in a vintage invitation pre-Grand Prix race at Pukekohe, driving his 1932 Sunbeam Saloon. He has extensive hill climbing experience with different sports cars and motor bikes and competed at club level at Hawkes Bay, Chelsea and Pebblebrook hill climbs. Barry is an enthusiastic motorsport owner/driver. He purchased the Bruce McLaren Stanford Special in 1993 in poor condition and completed the car’s restoration in 2010. Barry has been invited and has attended six previous Leadfoot Festivals in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

1947 Bruce McLaren Stanford Special:

Built as the Stanford Special in 1947 by Bob Crisp, he hill climbed it throughout New Zealand, winning the South Island Championship in 1950/51 and the New Zealand Championship Hill Climb Northern Sports Car Club in 1952. Bob sold the car to Bruce McLaren in 1955 and Bruce fitted an 1172cc Ford engine, then raced it and won a sports car race at Western Springs in May 1956, and an autocross at Kumeu in November 1956. He also raced the car at Muriwai Beach. Barry purchased the car in 1993 and finished restoring it in 2010. The car features a 1937 Standard flying 8 chassis and Ford 100E running gear. It is 1172cc and supercharged, with a hand-built alloy body.

Ben Hunt - 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Ben is very passionate about all forms of motorsport and has been competing in the New Zealand Rally Championship since winning Rally New Zealand Rising Stars Scholarship in 2009. Along the way he has picked up various titles before winning the 2015 New Zealand Rally Championship in his 2008 Subaru WRX STi. Ben is now a Subaru of New Zealand Brand Ambassador and competes in the NZRC in a brand new 2015 Subaru WRX STi.

2015 Subaru WRX STI:

This Subaru WRX STi was built by Speed Hub Motorsport with assistance from the Hunt Motorsport Team. The car has competed in the 2016 and 2017 New Zealand Rally Championships. Make sure you go and have a look at this car in the pits and see Bryan from Speed Hub Motorsport’s carbon magic on it, plus check out its other features.

Scott Huppert - 1994 Porsche 993 RSR

Scott’s motorsport involvement started in the mid 90’s as an event organiser, and track day warrior. His passion for Porsche and love of motorsport saw Scott compete in the Porsche Series in a Porsche 944S2. Since then, Scott has completed numerous track days and has competed in the inaugural 24 Hours of Lemons. 2019 sees Scott make his second appearance at the Leadfoot Festival.

1994 Porsche 993 RSR:

This is a recently completed replica of the Porsche 993 RSR, a low volume factory built race car manufactured by Porsche Motorsport department in the mid to late 90’s. With so few made, these cars are rarely seen in public. Imported from Nurburgring, Germany in 2017, this has been a no compromise, ground up build to factory RSR specifications. The rear mounted, 3.8 litre normally aspirated flat six engine develops 370BHP and 395nM of Torque.
 

Alan Inglis - 1970 Ford Mk1 Escort

Alan spent 40 years in the sailing scene and skippered charter yachts around the Greek Islands for the past 23 years. Alan has also been active in the classic race cars. He built a Broadspeed Mk1 Escort based on a photo of the original UK escort raced in the early 1970’s.

1970 Ford Mk1 Escort:

The Ford Escort ran a Lotus twin cam motor from 2000 till 2010 when unfortunately, the car was stolen just after a Skope meeting. The stripped-out body shell was recovered a week later but it took another six years to rebuild the Escort as it is today. Alan has campaigned the Escort over the years at Ruapuna, Levels, Teretonga, Dunedin street race, and lately Hawkswood sprint North Canterbury.

Richard Ive - 1978 Ford Escort RS1800 Group 4

Richard won his class in his first event – a car trial, over 40 years ago! Learning through road rallies, he went on to special stages, winning in both categories. He worked with International Rally Services throughout Europe and competed in Belgian Internationals, gaining class wins and top five results. Having moved to New Zealand, he experienced “the best roads on the planet” in Rally New Zealand 2006 and achieved a second place in the 2009 Possum Bourne Memorial Rally.

1978 Ford Escort RS1800 Group 4:

This is a 1978 full house Group 4 Escort built by Silver Fern winner Merion Evans of West Wales Motorsport. It has FIA historic classification and uses all the correct period parts. It has a 2-litre alloy Cosworth BDG, 5-speed ZF and Atlas axle. Used by Merion Evans initially it went for a short spell to Ireland. Now recently refreshed by West Wales and imported by Richard, this Escort will see her first New Zealand action at the Leadfoot Festival.

Tim James - 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Cup

Tim has competed in Targa, NZRGT, NIRDEC, SIRDEC and the Pirelli Porsche Series. His highlights are winning the 2013-2014 Pirelli Porsche Series and Motorsport New Zealand Porsche Championship and various class placings in Targa.
Tim has support from race engineer Aaron Robinson and Continental Cars mechanic Ricky Urry. He has also had lots of help from Continental Cars, Castrol and Woods. Special mention goes to Viv James who supports his motorsport passion. Tim competed in the 2015, 2017 and 2018 Leadfoot Festivals and is looking forward to running an older Porsche up Rod and Shelly’s driveway in 2019

1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Cup:

The 1990 Porsche Carrera 2 Cup car is #09 of 20 constructed to race the inaugural German Porsche 911 Carrera Cup in 1990 and again in the same series in 1991. This car raced at Spa, Zolder, Monza and Hokenheim and completed the 1990 Nurburgring 24 hour race.
This car was imported to NZ in 1994 by Maurice O’Reilly from Tauranga, and raced in the NZ Porsche Championship, in addition to, the Wellington Street Race, Bathurst and Indianapolis. Maurice won the Class A Porsche Championship.
The car was then passed to Steven Neville who won the NZ Porsche Championship in 2006. 

Peter Jordan - 1951 Citroen Light 15 V8

Peter is a highly skilled panel beater and fabricator. His driving experience started with hill climbs in the 1970’s with Northland Car Club and in the 1980’s with Kaikohe Car Club dirt track racing. Followed later by racing in Waihi & Waiuku, Harrisville and Waharoa Speedway. As a member of Northland Car Club, Peter competed in events such as 60th Anniversary, Doctors Hill 2015, Ruakaka Street Sprint, Springfield Road and Doctors Hill 2017-18 all exciting timed events.
Peter was invited to bring the Citroen Light 15 to Leadfoot as a competitor in 2016, with a 2nd place in the Pre-60’s category and 3rd in 2018.

1951 Citroen Light 15 V8:

The Citroen Light 15 V8 was built by Peter in a 7 year build. Some donor parts came from wrecking yards but Peter still used many of the original body parts to fabricated and redesigned the Citroen. From an original 4 cylinder engine which had no power to a 351 Windsor the V8 has plenty of power.
He changed it from manual to auto, from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive, with independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. Peter hand-fabricated the floor, mud guards, running boards, bonnet, boot, grill and pretty much everything else.
 

Nick Kampenhout - 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701

Nick has been racing for 25years, former National ATV champion, turned road post classic and Supermotard racer. In 2018, Nick was North Island Bears F2 champion and 2nd at the Bears Nationals in both F2 and Superstock Ltd. He has raced at Paeroa Battle of the streets and Cemetery circuit several times. Nick has been two time Quine Road Hill climb champion and will try his hand at any form of motorcycle racing , but due to that competitive streak, only likes the pointy end of the field. Nick is owner operator of NV Motorcycles, Morrinsville.

2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701:

2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, single cylinder 693cc, 6speed box, fly by wire throttle, slipper clutch, weight is approximately 130kg without fuel in race trim. Husqvarna is one of the oldest motorcycle manufactures in the world, starting in 1689 building weapons then motorcycles came in 1903. With loads of world titles in motocross, enduro, and road racing in the mid 1930s, many a kiwi has piloted a Husqvarna in enduro and motocross to world championships. The futuristic looking Vitpilen 701 is staking the Husqvarna Motorcycles name in the road arena.

Darren Kelly - 2011 Nissan R35 GTR

Darren is the 28-year-old driver of the 800+hp RB34det Straight 6 Nissan-backed R35 GTR. He has competed in professional competition for eight years and has never gone away from Nissan. Currently he has an R32, R34 (Pro Championship-winning car) and an R35 – all set up for drifting. Starting with an R32 chassis, he competed in many drift events becoming New Zealand Pro-Am Champion in 2011-2012 and then winning the D1NZ Pro Championship in 2013-2014 in the R34. Darren has also competed in other countries and has returned for the International Drift Challenge in Sydney, Australia. Darren is super pumped to be returning to Leadfoot Festival this year and put on a show for the crowd.

2011 Nissan R35 GTR:

This car started as a bare shell from Dodson’s Motorsport and over the space of two years has been turned it into what we have here today. It was an extremely hard and long build with everything custom made and very few off the shelf parts. TTT Auto Engineering has done an amazing job with the car and helped with developing it to its gen2 version that we will be bringing to Leadfoot Festival 2018. Driveline: This GTR runs an 800+hp dry-sumped RB34det with a TTI sequential 6 speed gearbox, Winters 10.5inch quick-change diff and Driveshaft Shop axles which spin an 18×11 Work wheel coated in a 265 Zestino semi slick. Steering: Ireland-based TDP created a huge lock steering kit to bolt into the R35 chassis. Cooling: This car has a Fenix radiator mounted in the boot. ECU: Link ECU kitted out the R35 with the Link Thunder and their Link Dash 2 Pro. 

Daniel Liemburg - 2009 Nissan 370Z 4WD

Daniel is currently 23 and has been racing quads since he was 5 years old. He won a couple of junior titles during this time.
Daniel competed in the Suzuki swift Sportscup in 2010 and 2011.His first race car was a turbo Starlet that actually helped him beat Rod Millen at Waimate when he was14. Daniel has won or been on the podium at numerous hill climbs and street sprints competing in a Mazda RX8. Daniel has also compete in some drift events with his best placing of second in Timaru round of Drift South.

2009 Nissan 370Z 4WD:

Nissan 370z was converted to 4wd from a G35 Skyline donor car. It has a VQ35hr turbo engine making just shy of 700hp. It has a TT Industries 6 speed sequential gearbox. The suspension components are custom made as is most of the car. It is true Kiwi built. Built in the shed at home.
 

Brett Lightfoot - 1964 Austin A40 Farina

Brett grew up watching John Wolfe, Possum Bourne and Rod Millen. Brett’s first rally car was a Datsun 1200, driven in club events. 1997 Brett did his first rally in a self-built Mazda RX7, racing every year including Race to the sky in 2000.

In 2004 Rod Millen drove Bretts Wynns Mazda RX7 in the Otago Classic Rally, a fond memory. Today he returns to Leadfoot having raced here 3 times before.

1964 Austin A40 Farina:

The A40 has competed in hill climbs and sprints with both Hamilton and Taupo Car Clubs. In 2011 it competed at the Chris Amon Festival of Speed. In 2013 and 2015 Brett brought the Farina to competed at the Leadfoot Festival qualifying in the top 10 shoot out for vehicles manufactured pre 1975, finishing a credible 4th position. A 1600 Ford Cross Flow, Kelford Cam and Sump Gates, GT Head Compression 12.1, Electronic Ignition. All 4 Wheel Disc Brake. Weighs a mere 760kg.

Philip Macey - 1977 Ford Falcon

Philip commenced racing in 2004, starting with a 1961 Sunbeam Rapier then and progressed to an Evo 2 for Targa racing. He competed in three Targas, winning the index of performance class in 2013. Philip competes in vintage speedway and owns/races a VW LTC and Holden-powered midgets. He is moving towards classic circuit racing at selected events and has competed at Leadfoot three times previously. His 2018 goal is sub 58 seconds.

1977 Ford Falcon:

Leadfoot 2019 is this vehicle’s first event having only recently been completed. The car is a replica of Dick Johnson’s 1977 Falcon and has been built to compete in Historic Muscle Car events. It is powered by a 351 Cleveland block mated to a top loader gearbox and Ford 9 inch diff. The car was purchased as only a body shell in 2010. 

Haydn MacKenzie -

Haydn started in motorsport in the 2000’s winning the NZ SuperGT title before becoming a regular competitor in the NZV8’s. Recently Haydn has competed on motorbike’s in Extreme Enduro’s completing Redbull Romaniacs 2017. He also campaigns in the ORANZ offroad series. In May 2018, Haydn competed in his first Targa in a Toyota 86, winning class 4 and 7th outright. Targa NZ saw a new car and the fight for the podium. Unfortunately crashing out on day 2 with a 1.30 minute lead. Haydn repaired the car overnight and won multiple stages over the following days including the iconic Crown Range.

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Neil Allport built Mitsubishi new in 2013 as a Targa car for Brian Green to campaign. Leigh Hopper won Targa Hawkes Bay in this Evolution X in 2017. The Evolution still runs in production class with it’s factory 5spd gearbox but has Targa specific MCA suspension and Alcon Brakes. Now prepared and run by DNG Automotive it produces 300 KW at the wheels and was one of the fastest vehicles in Targa 2018 clocking up multiple stage wins.

Craig Marshall - 1915 American LaFrance Speedster

Craig is the owner of a number of American LaFrance Fire engines and speedsters and has a passion for the preservation of the iconic machines. He competed recently in the Peking To Paris rally – a 10,000 mile adventure across the Gobi desert together with his wife, at the wheel of a 1937 Dodge Coupe. He has a collection of other desirable classics which he houses down the road at Waihi Beach.

1915 American LaFrance Speedster:

This ex 1915 chain driven American LaFrance fire engine begin life in Missouri. Like many of these mammoth 14.5L T- head machines at the end of its working life it was converted into a speedster. While its history is relatively unknown American LaFrance speedsters dominated the Vanderbilt race track and were renowned for having the reliability of a locomotive and reaching speeds of over 100 mph. This reconstructed example is completely period correct sporting oversized rear sprockets, transaxle, dual ignition and will pull away from the curb in top gear at 300rpm!

Mike Marshall - 2011 Ford Fiesta V6 4WD

Mike Marshall’s first events were reliability trials in the 1960s. His first stage rally was the 1970 Shell Silver Fern driving a 1600cc Ford Anglia. He led from stage one but a navigating error on a touring stage cost him the lead after missing several stages. Subsequent results: 1971 Heatway Rally third overall; 1972 Dukeries Rally England eighth overall; 1973 Heatway Rally second overall; 1973 Snowman Rally Scotland third overall and the 1975 Heatway Rally first overall.

2011 Ford Fiesta V6 4WD:

This interesting car was built in Scotland by Roy Smith with the intention of contesting the MSA and Irish Tarmac Championships.  A health issue forced a change of plans and Mike Marshall bought the car unused and unsorted.  Mike shipped the car to New Zealand via Barbados where son Nick drove it in two events.  An overheating engine forced it out of Rally Barbados after winning the Group B class in the ‘King of the Hill’ even.  The car has a 4000cc, VQ 35 Nissan engine fitted longitudinally driving through a Maktrak driveline.  The parts used were a combination of Fiesta WRC and Escort WRC.  The engine is new built by Harris Performance Engineering and this is the first event.

John Marslin - 1971 Holden Torana XU1

John is 72-years-old. He joined the Wellington Car Club in 1963 and started racing in 1965. In 1974 John raced an XA Falcon coupe for four years, then a RX3 Mazda till 1983 when he then shifted to Rotorua in 1984 and built a panel beating and paint shop from scratch. In 1991 John found Jim Palmer’s first 1971 Holden XU1 in a wrecker’s yard and rebuilt it and raced this car on and off until 2012. John also drove the XU1 in the 1996 Targa Rally and has been racing the 1965 replica Rod Coppins Zephyr Corvette.
He also managed Joe McAndrew and his rally car for the 1992 and 1993 rally seasons.

1971 Holden Torana XU1:

1971 Holden Torana XU1, first raced by Jim Palmer, was found by John in a wrecker’s yard in Rotorua. John rebuilt this car and has raced it in two early Hamilton Road Race Meetings and four Wellington Street Race Meetings, also three, three-hour race meetings at Pukekohe and Manfeild, plus two race meetings at Ohakea Airforce Base. He has also competed in the 1996 Targa Rally and many hill climbs, sprints and clubman’s meetings.

David McArthur - Tony New - 2008 DTM Racing F1 Sidecar

The 36-year-old driver David hails from Te Awamutu. He has been riding dirt bikes from a very young age before deciding to give road racing a go. He raced solo bikes for a number of years including superbikes before turning his attention to sidecars. The 47-year-old passenger/swinger Tony is from Tauranga and also comes from a two-wheeled solo back ground – racing motocross for 12 years, then Super Motard, before switching to sidecars.

2008 DTM Racing F1 Sidecar:

The DTM Racing Sidecar is a New Zealand-built machine completed in 2008 for the Lawrence brothers by Peter Anderson. The frame is made from aircraft aluminum and is powered by a 2008 Yamaha R1 (1000cc). The Lawrence brothers campaigned the sidecar to a New Zealand title before David and Tony purchased it for the 2017 season, making them only the second owners of this now iconic Kiwi sidecar.

Dean McCarroll - 2013 Juno CN

Dean has tried his hand at several types of motorsport racing, from sports bike through to sports cars. He has had success in the sports cars – winning the New Zealand Championship, plus Dean holds all of the North Island’s fastest lap records for his class. This is his forth visit to Leadfoot and he has made it into the top ten shootout on several occasions – coming third in 2017.

2013 Juno CN:

Juno CN Sports Car Prototypes are an European purpose-built factory racer designed for circuit racing.
This is a 2-litre car running a Ford Duratec engine developing 307hp, with a Hewland FTRS 6-sequential gearbox with a paddle shift system, and Ohlin’s 4-way adjustable dampers. The total package weights less than 575kg making it a very fast and agile race car, perfectly suited to nipping down to get the paper on Rod’s driveway!
 

Paul McCarthy - 1974 Ford Escort RS 1600

Paul has been involved in motor racing since his early teen and actually racing since he was 21 years old. He has raced various cars but has an affinity for small 4 cylinder saloon and sports cars. Paul has owned various RS Fords and Mini Coopers. He currently owns two RS Escorts and one Lotus Europa

1974 Ford Escort RS 1600:

This car was built to GRP 2 specifications and represents a 1974 DRM Zakpeed car. It has an all alloy BDG engine with Lucas mechanical fuel injection, alloy atlas rear end and centre lock wheels. It’s wet weight is 720kg.

Richard McCarthy - 1974 Lotus 7 S4

Richard is 50 years old and has raced classic cars since the mid 1980s in several cars – a Mk2 Lotus Cortina ex Ronnie Moore, Escort Mk1 Mexico Group 4 and a Mk1 escort twin-cam Group 4. Richard is currently racing a Peugeot 205 GTi that he won the 2kCup in during the second season of the championship. He also went on to win the ERC (European Racing Classics) the following year. Richard is the older brother of Paul (Zakspeed) McCarthy.

1974 Lotus 7 S4:

The car is a NZ Steel Brothers-built, 1650cc all-steel, dry-sumped holbay twin-cam, straight-cut 4speed, LSD, which has been owned by Richard’s dad since the 1980s. It holds the lap record at Bay Park for the up to 2-litre sports cars and it is the winner of the Hamilton street race for sports and GTs. After a major crash at Hampton Downs, this car was totally rebuilt from the chassis up by my brother and myself.

Ryan McDonald - 1923 Chev 490 Speedster

Ryan has been racing and hill climbing with the VCC and HRSCC since 1989. He has been building Austin 7 specials and racing them all this time. He has raced his Chev 490 at the Hampton Downs Roycroft trophy races and Chelsea hill climbs. He owns a business restoring and building old race cars and vintage cars. He has also been involved with hot rods and helping his son with his karting.

1923 Chev 490 Speedster:

This Chev 490 speedster was previously owned by Ron Roycroft who found it behind a barn in Te Aroha. It had been sitting there since 1939. Ryan bought it from Ron in 1998 and did a sympathetic restoration, keeping all the original dents and rust holes intact where possible, while finding the car had only done around 5000 miles since new in the process. The engine was modified to period dirt track specs with Ron’s advice.

Stuart McFarlane - 1974 Porsche Carrera 911

Stuart started competing at the age of 15. He was a top competitor at Mystery Creek Rallycross events in the mid 1970s in a purpose-built rallycross Mini. After his driving career ended in 1980 after a serious eye injury, he took up rally co-driving with many top NZ drivers, including Stuart Eyre, Gary Smith and Ken Adamson. He even had the opportunity to co-drive with Bjorn Waldgard. Stuart competed in the 2000 London to Sydney marathon rally with ex-McLaren team boss Alistair Caldwell.
Recently Stuart has been competing with his son Brad in classic rallying in a Porsche 911, including competing in the Silver Fern Marathon Rally around the South Island last November.

1974 Porsche Carrera 911:

This is an old classic 1974 Porsche gravel rally car. It is running rally suspension, so the crowd should see plenty for front wheel lifting in the corners. It may be not the fastest up the hill but it is quite spectacular! The Porsche has a 3.0 litre air cooled engine with a close ratio gearbox and limited slip diff The car is a classic unrestored car with the odd rust bubbles to prove its age.  

Brendan McGovern - 1974 Datsun 1200 Sedan

Brendan is a Putaruru local and has been involved with many types of motorsports since he was a child from Motorcross, Jet Sprints and 4×4 trials to circuit racing. He races with the New Zealand Rotary Racing Enthusiasts and last season won the overall championship. His other interests include 4 wheel driving so when he’s not on the track he’s deep in the bush. This will be his second time racing at Leadfoot.

1974 Datsun 1200 Sedan:

The Datsun was purchased off a local family stock standard 18 years ago and was rebuilt over 10 years by Brendan and some friends in his shed. It now sports a rotary 12a Turbo with custom porting, and a RX8 gearbox, full custom tube rear end running a Hilux diff and 4 link rear suspension. The car is fully certified and is also road legal so he can still take it to the supermarket.

Ross McKay - 1988 Mazda 323

Ross is from Christchurch and a former National Junior Rally Champion in 1992.
The car is driven today by John Silcock from Rangiora a 3 time Mainland Rally Champion and contestant in the Classic NZ Rally Championship in a Group B Mazda RX7 John has rallied a variety of Mazda’s from RX3’s to 323’s to his current RX7

1988 Mazda 323:

This Mazda 323 was built in the USA by Rod Millen Motorsport and contested in the 1989 & 1990 Asia Pacific Rally Championship with Rod and Tony Sircombe going on to win the 1989 APR Championship in this car. Also taking 2nd Overall in Rally of NZ behind the European Mazda of Ingvar Carlsson giving Mazda its only ever 1, 2 finish in a WRC Event & 5th overall in Rally of Australia behind the might of the factory European Lancia & Toyota Teams

Donn McLaren - 1970 Ford/Madza Escort

Donn (“Hopper”) has been competing in Mazscort from 1984 till now. He had some great results in the South Island. Then continuing with Rallysports, Hillclimbs and Tracks, winning the Annual Ashburton Club Speed Championship 20 times and the Timaru Club Championship 3 times. Hopper has included and fostered numerous amounts of new competitors gaining a life membership of the Ashburton Car Club. Hopper is so impressed with his supporters, “Darcmiester” Prendergast, Wayne Haughey and the crew of enthusiasts from the South, who are coming along to see the car in action.

1970 Ford/Madza Escort:

This “Mazscort” has been converted from running Ford Motors in the later 1980’s to use a “Hayshed Rotary’s” (Paul Hayman & Paul Sheddon) PP 13B Mazda Rotary engine with lots old cheap 1970’s parts. Becoming one of the more successful club sport cars in the South Island winning 12 overall titles of the Rutherford Gravel Sprint, 2 overall wins of Akaroa Tarmac Hillclimb and the Opihi Gravel Hillclimb and including more than 14 victories in gravel and tarmac hill climbs and sprints, beating many good 4WD cars. The car was featured on the “Hillclimb Monsters” website, following 2WD wins at Ashley Forest Rally Sprint.

Louis McNair - 1969 Smith Spider Mk2

Louis Mcnair (21) has been at Leadfoot in the past campaigning his Penny Farthing bicycle around the pits while his father Rob Mcnair has been running the black Gipsy Riley. Louis has recently completed his engineering apprenticeship in fitting and machining. His experience in Motorsport includes circuit racing in a D type Jaguar and hill climbing on a minimalistic BSA Bantam racer.
Louis is campaigning the Smith Spider he has recently acquired from Dennis Smith.

1969 Smith Spider Mk2:

Smith Spider MK2 was a development after the single seat Spider had a catastrophic accident at Pukekohe in the late 60s. Built by Dennis Smith in 1969 using a 1.5Litre Johnson V4 2 stroke outboard motor. He designed and built nearly every part of this car including casting and machining his own wheels, suspension components, brake calipers and mechanical fuel injection. It represents a wonderful example of originality in a historic NZ built racecar.

Rob McNair - 1931 Riley Nine Special

Rob is an aircraft engineer by trade and his business specialises in the restoration of vintage aeroplanes and classic cars. Rob’s passions include vintage aviation in his Tiger Moth, yachting and classic cars of all periods. Rob’s current projects include building a Pitts Special aerobatic aeroplane and a vintage-style ultralight aircraft with his son Louis and his father Wallace. Rob’s current work project is the building and restoration of a set of wings for a Beech Craft Staggerwing, which is being restored in Wanaka in the South Island. Rob’s vintage motoring includes using the Riley whenever possible and competing in club hillclimb events. The Leadfoot Festival is definitely the highlight of Rob’s motorsport calendar.

1931 Riley Nine Special:

Rob built his car based on Riley 9 components and fitted with an engine from a De Havilland Tiger Moth. He was inspired by the Brooklands Riley, the Type 59 GP Bugatti and the GP Delage from 1927. He is an aircraft engineer by trade and had just restored a Tiger Moth for himself when the Riley project was starting to happen. The remaining engine parts left over from the Tiger looked like a obvious solution for his vehicle special. Rob incorporated aircraft-style riveting on the body and aero instruments of the period, to give the car an aero-nautical feel. The result is a car with performance similar to proper Grand Prix cars of the time and it has intriguing details. Aero-engined cars were famous for record-breaking and high-speed touring in the early days due to their effortless performance with the big engines. This is also the case with Rob’s Riley. It has been campaigned at the Leadfoot Festival four times, with the highlight being winning the pre-1960 class here in 2016.

Alister McRae - 1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRX Impreza

Alister is back to defend his 2017 ‘King of Millen’s Mountain’ title.
His McRae surname has been synonymous with rallying for three decades. Father Jimmy and sons Colin and Alister have, between them, won just about every title worth winning. Alister’s first foray into motorsport was at the age of twelve, when he took up motorcycle trials and motocross. But it was always rallying where he would demonstrate his true colours and success. Class wins at Scottish and British Rally Championship (BRC) levels soon culminated in becoming British Rally Champion with Nissan in 1995. Further years in the BRC mixed with numerous wins at WRC level in Formula 2 led to his services being secured by the newest manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship – Hyundai. Mitsubishi and Subaru followed within three years competing in the Asia Pacific Championship with Proton – winning the title in 2011.

1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRX Impreza:

Driven by Alister McRae, the Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRC special won last year’s Leadfoot Festival and was second in 2016.
It is an ex-Prodrive Subaru 1998 WRC car, which was driven and crashed at Rally New Zealand by Finnish driver Kuha Kangas in 1999. The damaged shell was then purchased by the late Possum Bourne. In 2001, after rebuilding the car, Possum drove it to victory at Race to the Sky (RTTS) in 8min 34sec. In 2003, Vantage Motorsport purchased the car after Possum’s death. From 2004-2007, Swedish WRC star Kenneth Eriksson drove the car at RTTS, finishing runner-up on two occasions. In 2011 and 2012, Vantage-supported driver Emma Gilmour to drive at the Leadfoot Festival.
At the 2015 RTTS – equipped with 850hp – Alister drove the car to victory hitting 240kph and reaching the top in 8min 17sec.

Steve Midgley - 1968 Austin Minibusa

Steve is a 49 year old contractor from Hawera, South Taranaki . He started motorsport at the aged of 10 racing motocross and raced till the age of 36, in that time he won many club championships and in 1989 won a 250cc New Zealand title. He has spent the last 10 years building the Austin Minibusa and now competes at events like circuit racing, street sprints and hill climbs

1968 Austin Minibusa:

This Austin Mini has a 2006 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa engine fitted in the rear of the car and is chain drive to the rear wheels. The car weighs 620kg and has approximately 200hp. Everything has been hand built by Steve in his car shed and took 2.5 years to build. It has won 3 NZ super mini challenge open class titles and 2 overall NZ super mini challenge titles in addition to many hill climbs and street sprints.

Rhys Millen - 2018 Bentley Bentayga

Over a career spanning more than 20 years in racing and performance stunt driving, Rhys is one of the top in his field. His father is Rod Millen, so it is hardly surprisingly that Rhys has a diverse background in motorsports and numerous wins ranging from Drifting Champion in 2005 and Drifting World Champion in 2008, to multiple victories in rally and rallycross. Rhys was also the overall winner of the Pikes Peak international Hill Climb in 2012 and last year set a new production sport utility recordat the famous Colorado hill climb in a Bentley Bentayga.

2018 Bentley Bentayga:

This freakishly-fast Bentley SUV is powered by a massive bi-turbo 600 bhp (447 kW) W12 engine, hooked up to an eight-speed ZF automatictransmission and four-wheel drive. Bentley released a special edition Pikes Peak Bentayga to celebrate the luxury SUV’s record-breaking run at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb last year. Driven by Rhys Millen, the Bentayga launched up the 20km, 156-turn, nearly 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) course to complete the race in
just 10 minutes, 49.9 seconds.

Rod Millen - 1994 Pikes Peak World Record Celica

Motorsport racing legend and all-time nice guy, Rod developed a reputation as a leader in rally driving in New Zealand in the 1970s. Moving to the United States in 1978 Rod turned his attention to off-road stadium racing and dominated the Mickey Thompson off-road racing series – where he became the only driver in the 12-year history of the series to win three consecutive Grand National Sport Truck titles. During Rod’s racing career, he conquered the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, where it has become known as ‘Millen Mountain’. Rod captured the record for the fastest ascent as well as clocking the fastest overall time five times. The challenges of Pikes Peak became part of the inspiration to create the Leadfoot Ranch racetrack driveway, which this weekend will become the perfect hill climb.

1994 Pikes Peak World Record Celica:

The Pikes Peak Toyota Celica raced in the Unlimited Class at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to claim two overall victories and set the fastest time of 10:04:06. This record was set on an all-dirt track in 1994, which stood for 13 years and was only broken when 75% of the road was paved. The Pikes Peak Toyota Celica shares little with its production inspiration. A potent 2.1 litre turbo charges an inline 4–cylinder engine, which mates to a tube frame chassis and runs through a custom 4WDsystem. The one-piece carbon composite body shell looks the part, but it is also about aerodynamic performance!

Cam Neill - 1939 Chevrolet 39 Coupe

Cam was born in Wellington in 1950 – the son of a petrol-head mechanic, so he was doomed to motorsport from the beginning really. Early involvement included crewing for Wills six-hour races, helping Roger Graham with his Ford V8 Racecar in Taupo, flag marshalling at Bay Park and racing the family Mini at club events. He also did some stockcar racing including figure 8 racing in the early 1970s then building and racing the modified #360 in the mid-1970s. Cam is a long-time member of the Taupo Car Club. He built his 39 Chev Coupe in the late 1990s and has been racing it since February1998.

1939 Chevrolet 39 Coupe:

The Coupe’s body was spotted in the Waikite Valley, behind a milking shed in mid-1994 (it had been destined to be a stockcar body) and purchased soon after. The body has been mounted on an HQ Holden ute chassis using the original suspension and steering. Its rear suspension is 4-bar and watts linkage on a 9″diff. The engine is a 350 Chev to a Richmond 4-speed gearbox. Cam built the car (with a little help from his friends) to Motorsport New Zealand Schedule A rules and has raced in clubmans, CMC (including the Aussie muscle car masters) and lots of classic car events.

Bob Neville - 1928 Ford Model A Boat Tail Racer

Driver and owner Bob Neville from Turangi is a Global Creative Director in the Sports Industry who when not enjoying old cars is on planes heading to the next project somewhere in the world! His car ‘Lucky 17’ is a Model A Ford Boat Tail racer. Lucky 17 runs a 1932 Four Cylinder Model B engine with a Thomas High compression head, twin 97 Stromberg’s and various other racing modifications. Lucky 17 is registered with the Vintage Car Club of NZ as well as Federation Internationale Des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA).

1928 Ford Model A Boat Tail Racer:

Lucky 17 was built back in the day from an old beat up original Ford Model A family car in Michigan. This everyman depression era home built racer has over the years been raced and modified as skills and budget allowed. Bob bought the car from the original owner and builder now in his nineties and sent it home to New Zealand after having fun in the US and UK with it. With GMS Vintage Speed, Bob has been busy breathing new life into what was a heavily used, much loved member of the original builder and racer family.

Tim O'Connor - 2012 Ferrari 458 Challenge

Tim’s motorsport involvement started with rallying in the late 1960s, as a driver, co-driver and organiser. After competing in the New Zealand Targa in a BMW CSL and then a Ferrari 355 Challenge, Tim decided to go circuit racing and in particular compete in endurance events. The replacement to the Ferrari 355 Challenge was the 430 Challenge, which in turn was replaced in 2012, with the new and current Ferrari 458 Challenge.
Tim competes annually in the North and South Island rounds of the New Zealand Endurance Series from May through to October, as well as the annual Highlands 101 meeting.

2012 Ferrari 458 Challenge:

Purchased new in 2012, the 458 Challenge is a purpose-built race car, manufactured by Ferrari at their factory in Maranello, Italy. The 458 is powered by a 4.5-litre V8, developing 420kW (580hp) and it weighs 1225kg. Its brakes are Brembo CCM (carbon ceramic) with 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers. The wheels are centre lock BBS and the gearbox is a 7-speed Getrag DCT.  

Paul Radisich - 1995 Toyota Supra Turbo

Paul began his motorsport career in 1983 driving a Toyota Trueno with his Father Frank. Paul went on to have a very successful 25 year professional racing career. Notable highlights are New Zealand Gold star champion, New Zealand Grand Prix winner,
Australian Grand Prix winner, Fuji 500 winner
Nissan Mobil series winner, NZ Touring car Champion, Runner up American Super Vee series, two time runner up Bathurst, runner up BTCC, and two time World Touring Car Champion.

1995 Toyota Supra Turbo:

This car was built by Frank Radisich and Peter Van Brugal for the Targa event and campaigned by Frank and Graeme Lawrence. It was then campaigned in local New Zealand events by Peter Van Brugal.

It was brought out of storage for the 2015 Leadfoot and driven by Paul Radisich to 8th overall. The Toyota Supra is 2 wheel drive and produces over 600bhp under full boost.

Glen Raymond - 2011 Land Rover Tomcat

Glen Raymond is a branch manager from Tauranga who is passionate about motorsport. He especially loves Land Rovers, 4WD and off-road racing events. Glen has competed over the years in the 4WD Winch Challenge and various off-road racing events including the Taupo 1000. Initially campaigning a 1985 110 Land Rover in production Class 2 and enjoying reasonable success earning a few placings and the odd trophy along the way. Glen has been competing in his Tomcat for the past 18 months in Class 8 against the significantly larger thunder trucks until it was fully complied for road use. At the Nelson Off-road racing enduro event in 2016 he managed to get first in class.

2011 Land Rover Tomcat:

Glen and Samantha imported the 2011 Land Rover Tomcat from the UK 2 years ago direct from Tomcat Motorsport UK. It took 14 months to get it to comply and registered for the roads in New Zealand. This particular Tomcat was the works demonstration vehicle for UK based Tomcat Motorsport and it toured around the UK and Europe. It was even displayed for at the Cite’ de l’Automobile national car museum in France back in 2013.

It is based on a lightened but strengthened Land Rover Discovery chassis with roll cage and fiberglass body. Running gear is Land Rover with strengthened axle housing running a 4.2 litre 320hp TVR V8 engine and 5-speed manual gearbox. Since arriving in New Zealand, it has had hydraulic bump stops fitted along with a larger capacity fuel tank and a communications system. The Tomcat has competed in events such as off-road racing (now Class 6 road legal 4WD) and the inaugural RallyCross event. Since it is road legal it can be used for other events such as Targa or even a Sunday drive to the beach.

Carl Robertson - 1989 Ford Laser GTX

Early in his career, Carl constructed his own Laser TX3 of the FWD persuasion, and nabbed himself the cover of New Zealand Performance Car with his immaculately constructed [JRCOZY]. JR over the next five years would win more than 30 trophies and take out the Turbo 2WD National drag class two years running along with the front-wheel-drive street-tyred record — a record it still holds today with a time of 10.79@217kph.
Now Carl’s racing has progressed to tarmac rallying with his new 4WD toy, [WRCOZY] which he debuted here at Leadfoot Festival 2018.

1989 Ford Laser GTX:

The Laser Tarmac Rally car was campaigned in the early 2000’s by Neil MacFarquhar and has now fallen into the hands of fellow Laser fanatic Carl, who brought it back to life after 10 years in storage. Carl and Neil owned the two most modified Lasers in the country, with Carl managing to purchase the vehicle early in 2017. The Evolution 7 running gear has made this little weapon no longer prone to the Mazda/Ford drive-line curse! After running under 1 min in 2018, Carl’s back on the hunt for a time deeper into the 50’s!

David Rogers - 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X

David was recently second in the South Island Targa and the winner of the Unlimited Championship. David is also turning his attention to the Endurance series.

2008 Mitsubishi Evo X:

The Evo X RS was built by Neil Allport. It has been developed from a restricted production car to a 600hp, E85 highly competitive tarmac rally car. It runs Motec electronics, is equipped with a sequential gearbox is tuned by Glen Suckling and is run by Dustin of DNG Automotive.

Lionel Rogers - 1935 Bugatti Type 59/50S

Lionel joined the Auckland Car Club in 1967 after working in the United States for three years. He raced a Mk1 Escort, twin cam Anglia and 3 -litre Capri in many events then sold all his cars in 1970 to start a business. Lionel is an avid follower of F1.
He sold his business in 2003 and bought a 350Z for Targa New Zealand that year, finishing 12th outright with a near stock-standard car. He then did Targa Tamania in 2004 and added a supercharger for Targa NZ 2004 to 2007. He has now ‘retired’ from speed events and concentrates on road rallies around the world.

1935 Bugatti Type 59/50S:

Bugatti dominated Grand Prix racing from 1921 until early 1930s until overtaken by Auto Union, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Mercedes who were backed by German and Italian governments. In 1935, in a final attempt to beat them, Bugatti built a car for Robert Benoist for the French GP at Montlhéry. They put a T54 4.9-litre engine into a T59 chassis. The car he has built over the past six years is an authentic replica of the original.
 

Gene Rollinson - 2012 Audi TT RS VLN

Gene started his motorsport career at aged 6, coming through the NZ karting ranks and winning five national titles on his way to his first single-seater race at age 17. After competing successfully locally and internationally, Gene moved into the world of touring car racing by age 20. Selected by a professional race team, he competed as the youngest driver in the NZV8 category, at the time the largest and premier championship in the country. Over the next few years Gene competed at the Nurburgring 24-hour race in Germany (winning his class), Fujitsu V8 Supercars in Australia (including Bathurst), V8 Supertourers, Porsche GT3 Cup, Sports & GT, etc, adding a number of career wins and championships along the way. More recently Gene has been competing in the national Endurance Series in various GT3 machinery, notably a Ferrari 458 GT3 and an Audi R8 GT3. Having won the NZ title, he should be more than capable of putting on a good show in the Audi RS TT VLN!

2012 Audi TT RS VLN:

Manufactured in 2012, the TT was designed and built by Audi to complete in the VLN series (Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nurburgring) a legendary race, competed on an iconic track. Powered by a 2.5 litre 5-cylinder engine from a road going TT-RS with a small horsepower increase to 380 horsepower and fitted with a very wide “DTM styled” body kit and almost surprisingly ditching the 4WD system in favour of a lighter FWD platform.
This particular car, unaltered from factory specifications, was driven by Robb Holland in 2016 and set the record time for FWD cars up Pikes Peak shattering the previous record by nearly a minute clocking in at 10:56.878.

Murray Rowland - 1962 Ford Anglia 105E

Murray is a self-employed excavator final drive specialist based in Queensland, Australia, returning to NZ regularly to catch up with family and attend car events when possible. He has four years Western Springs speedway experience in the modified sprint class, is an avid enthusiast and collector of classic cars, pick-up trucks motor bikes and auto memorabilia. With a mechanical background and a passion for speed a lot of the mechanicals for the Anglia here in NZ and others in Australia are carried out in house.

1962 Ford Anglia 105E:

The Anglia was off the Ford production line in 1962 with the traditional 998cc Kent 4cyl engine, 4 speed non synchro gearbox, drum brakes front & rear. It has now been transformed, a project 5 years in the making, now titled ANGRYR.
The Anglia specs are 13B unopened import motor, Single Borg Warner 200SX turbo, Link G4RX engine management system, 310HP at rear wheels, 5 speed Gearbox S6 RX7, Shortened Hilux LSD differential.

Terry (Terence) Roycroft - 1925 Bugatti Type 35A

Terry was born in 1943 and raised in Glen Murray in an endless torrent of racing, sports and touring cars.
He started an apprenticeship fitting/turning/machining at 15, then started speedway racing at Western Springs aged 17.
In 1966 he became a Marine Engineer with Union Shipping Company.
In 1968 Terry was a Marine Engineer with the NZ Shipping Company.
Later he was an engineer at coal-fired generating stations in London, Toronto and Meremere in NZ.
From 1978—85 Terry was a Marine Engineer with Nauru Pacific, Central Pacific. From 1986—96 he worked for Contract Engineering NZ Steel, Glenbrook. From 1991–2003 Terry designed and built a high-speed amphibious vehicle with patented wheel-retraction and sold the rights to Gibbs Technologies. He was also a consultant for the ‘AQUADA’ HSAV programme in Detroit Michigan. When he retired in 2003, Terry prepared the Ron Roycroft Type 35A Bugatti for racing and rallying.

1925 Bugatti Type 35A:

This Type 35A Bugatti was raced in England in the 1920s and 1930s. It came to New Zealand in 1947 with Bryce Clinkard and was raced by Ken Hemus to 1949/50. Ron Roycroft bought the car in rough condition in 1951 and raced it to 1953 when he installed a new 1948 XK120 Jaguar engine, with a Moss gearbox. Ron intended the car for beach racing and hillclimbs, but it also raced in a few major events when needed.
The car won the NZ Championship at Dunedin in 1954, and was first New Zealander home at Ardmore in 1956 against a strong international field. It was first New Zealander again in 1956 at Ryal Bush, where it was timed at 155mph. It had many other wins and places at club events in the 1950s.
It is currently fitted with an original XK120 engine with a C-Type head and 2” sandcast SU carburettors.

Carl Ruiterman - 2009 Subaru WRX STi

In 2007, Carl won all 3 drift championships running at the time, D1NZ Championship, NZ drift championship, and Drift Revolution. He backed that up with another NZ drift championship and runner up D1NZ. Competed in the Red Bull world drifting Championship, Qualified 2nd in the World Drift Championship rounds in Hangzhou and Tianjin China. Since then Carl won the Possum Bourne Memorial Tarmac rally, done 4wd drift, Gymkhana, and rally cross demos. Now competing in the New Zealand off Road Championship where he has won his class in the North Island off road championship in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

2009 Subaru WRX STi:

The 2009 Subaru WRX was built by E & H Motors with the intention of it being turned into a drift car to compete overseas. Once the roll cage, and engine was built, it was tested in its original All Wheel Drive setup and the car was so much fun to drive like this, it stayed. The car has been used for selected 4wd drifting demos, hill climbs, rally cross, and Tarmac rally events. It features an E & H built 2.1L EJ20 engine, intake, intercooler, axles, relocated radiator and exhaust system.

Danny Ryan - 1919 Lancia Kappa Sport

Danny has had a fifty year career in engineering.
been restoring vehicles since the late 70’s. He is an avid restorer with an eye for detail. Each restoration has had many hours of research searching for the most correct style or design of each part. He restores mostly European manufacture cars dating from 1919 to 1952. The latest a Hispano Suiza 1922 H6B. It is an exclusive elegant motor vehicle made in Paris.

1919 Lancia Kappa Sport:

Found at Donnelly’s Crossing, Northland New Zealand and restored in 2001.The Lancia has competed in Race Track and Hill Climb events and travelled most gravel roads in the North and South Islands. It has 5 litre, 4 cylinders, 4 speed and two-wheel rear brakes.

Kevin Sanderson - 1984 Toyota Hayabusa Starlet

The first event Kevin competed in was the 1974 Woohill Rally in a Holden Torana XU1, coming home seventh outright. He has done numerous hill climbs over the years in a variety of cars – his most memorable being his VW Beetle powered with a Chev Corvair flat 6, which won the Auckland Interclub Hill Climb Championship several times in the 1980s. Another winning car, a lightweight rally sprint Subaru RX Turbo was jointly-owned with rally legend Possum Bourne. This car also secured the Auckland Hill Climb Championship. Kevin worked servicing/crewing for Possum on his New Zealand and international rally programmes from the mid-1980s until Possum’s untimely death in 2003.

1984 Toyota Hayabusa Starlet:

The KP61 Toyota Starlet was built in 2006, firstly powered with a Toyota 1580cc 5K pushrod engine and T50 close ratio gearbox. In 2012 Kevin repowered it with a 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa gen 2 engine, which is 1340cc producing 198hp@10200rpm. It has an 11400rpm limiter and comes standard with an ultra-close ratio 6-speed gearbox. The engine gearbox unit is very lightweight and weighs under 80kg. The diff is a 1984 AE86 with TRD limited slip diff. The brakes are Wilwood 4 pot calipers.
In the 45 events this Starlet has done with the Hayabusa engine, it has been super reliable, finishing 44 of them. Its best result to date was first outright in the Taupo Classic 2WD Rally in August 2016.

Leon Scott - 2001 Mitsubishi Evo

Team LSM run one of New Zealand’s fastest Evolution time attack cars with 10 years of podium finishes and they are the 2016 overall Superlap Championship title holders and own the pro open class championship-winning car driven by Leon Scott of Auckland. They have competed in time attack racing and superlap racing in New Zealand now for over 10 years and have run the same car through various stages. Leon and the team have stayed true to the roots of the sport and competed from the start with semi slick tyres (not full slicks) and hold the fastest semi slick lap in the superlap series with a 1.07 flat at Hampton Downs.

2001 Mitsubishi Evo:

The LSM Evo 7 pushes 650hp on 98 BP fuel. It has a 2.3 Stroker race engine, Holset race series turbo, Albins dog engagement gearbox, Cusco diffs and a HKS Fcon 4.0 ECU. It also features an Endless brake package by Prosport, Wedsport ultralight wheels and Hankook semi slick tyres. The Evo was the 2015/ 2016 New Zealand Time Attack/Superlap series pro championship winner and the 2016 New Zealand Time Attack/Superlap overall championship winner. At the 2017 Leadfoot Festival it achieved a top 15 placing (first attempt) and at the 2017 NZ Time Attack Outlaws placed third overall.  

Rayden Smith - 1968 Willment Ford Escort Twin Cam

Rayden’s first event was a hillclimb in a Singer special in 1962, followed by gymkhanas and grass track events. After establishing his farming career, Rayden participated in club motocross and trials then onto scrambles and enduros. In 1989, he realised a childhood ambition by racing a Ferrari 365 GT4 at the Ardmore Reunion. In 1990, Rayden purchased the ex Jim Richards Willment Escort Twin Cam and has competed in various events over the past 29 years.

1968 Willment Ford Escort Twin Cam:

2019 marks 50 years since Mike Crabtree won the 2 litre class of the 1969 British Saloon Car Championship with this car. Walter Hayes of Ford provided it to the John Willment Group who developed it to the Group 5 specs for Mike to compete alongside many well-known car/driver combinations including Roy Pierpont’s Falcon Sprint and Frank Gardiner in the Alan Mann Escort X00349F at many circuits including Brands Hatch, Chrystal Palace, Thruxton and also the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was imported into New Zealand by Jim Carney in December 1969 for Jim Richards to race under the livery of Carney Racing then Radio Hauraki and is still often referred to as the Richards Twin Cam. Jim put on many giant killing displays against larger and more powerful cars including winning every round of the 1971 National Touring Car Championship. The car was also used by Jim and Faye as their Bridal Car when they married in 1972. It was purchased by Lin Neilson and competitively raced on the South Island tracks and in the OSCA series. Historically significant, this is one of the first Escort Twin Cams it has been a race car all its life and still retains its original body shell. Period Specs: Lotus Twin Cam 1720cc, Ford 4 speed gearbox with Quaiffe internals, LSD, disc front and drum rear brakes.

Sharn Steadman - 1975 Suzuki GP125

Sharn was bitten by the motorcycle bug ten years ago and has enjoyed almost every minute of it! She has been competing for six years in a variety of riding styles, including road and track racing, dirt racing and drag racing, with some good results. Being a female in motorcycling has taught her some useful skills too. She enjoys fabrication, rebuilds, and DIY tinkering ‘Kiwi style’ with her mentors between race meets.

1975 Suzuki GP125:

An ESE custom-build, this motorcycle is a true ‘bucket racer’ full of unique fabrication and ideas. Its two-stroke, single-cylinder, has been built from a commuter engine with 14hp at the crank, to produce 25+hp at the rear wheel, nearing factory production numbers of the era. The frame, an NSR125, is a race-orientated home for ESE’s internationally-respected engine development. Sharn enjoys testing and racing this machine at kart tracks around New Zealand. 

Todd Stewart - 1976 DPL Mustang 2

Todd has driven the PDL Mustang 2 since 2004.He raced a Formula 5000 LOLA T430 HU3 and held the lap record at Sandown for 15 years. It was recently broken by John Bower (AUS)
Southern Muscle Cars. Todd has raced a HT Monaro, Formula Holden and a Formula Ford.

1976 DPL Mustang 2:

The PDL Mustang 2 has blazed its way into New Zealand Motorsport history in the hands of Leo Lenard in the early 70’s. The PDL Racing Team are very proud to be bringing the old girl up to Leadfoot.

Mark Strawbridge - 1972 Mazda 616

Mark has been competing for the last few years in a range of events from street sprints and hill climbs to time attack and circuit racing. He is lucky enough to have a bunch of friends (and a forgiving wife) that share the same passion and enjoy not only the challenges of racing but the rewards that can be had by pushing harder each time he drives. His motorsport career has included circuit racing, hill climbs, and street sprints. His first taste of the driveway last year saw a top five finish in class and he is eager to have another crack building on what he learned.
The atmosphere and rotary camaraderie wasn’t like any event he has attended so he is keen to get back to Leadfoot and give those pesky Escorts a run for their money.

1972 Mazda 616:

Imported from Australia in original condition in 2006, a small team of friends spent four years completely rebuilding the 616 from the ground-up in preparation for racing. The build had a period focus to the point that many now mistakenly assume it to be an ex works car from Japan). The 12A PP (screaming to 11,000rpm) has been a mainstay in the car, running a 48mm IDA and Link ECU for ignition only. Since last time up the drive and finishing in the top 5 of its class, we’ve spent considerable time tuning the suspension and dropping weight anywhere we can, it currently sits at 900KG.
 

Jason Sutherland - 2007 Lotus 7

Jason manages an engineering workshop in Palmerston North and is also a keen petrol head. Jason’s been racing at a club sport level since he left school 15 years ago. He also started building this car at his school metal working class. Jason has had many wins in local hill climbs and club sport racing events at Manfeild. Jason has recently started building Mini Jet Boats which has become a passion.

2007 Lotus 7:

The Lotus was first raced in 2007 after being scratch built in a school classroom. With a power to weight ratio of 600HP per ton and it is a highly modified Ford Zetec 2000cc. Jason has changed out the supercharger for a turbo charger and added upside down wings from a helicopter to the front and rear to increase downforce.

Masao Take - 2007 Nissan 380RS Nismo

Masao is from Tokyo, Japan, and he is a dedicated weekend racer, with many championship wins and places for 12-hour endurance and Porsche one-make series at the Motegi, Tukuba and Ebisu Circuits over the last 18 years. In 2006, Masao was looking to try tarmac rallying and competed in Targa Tasmania. Then in 2007 he competed in Targa New Zealand and has been a regular at this event ever since.

2007 Nissan 380RS Nismo:

In Japan the 380RS Nismo was a limited production run of 300 cars, based on the R33 350z. The body shell went to Nismo where the cars were built using all the Nismo performance parts. This car was set up for tarmac events and now lives in New Zealand and competes in Targa New Zealand events.  

David Thexton - 2005 Subaru WRX STI

David has been involved mainly in rallying since 1976 competing in 13 internationals as well as a few rallies overseas. He has won around 7 rallies and numerous hillclimbs and rallysprint championships. David competed in the Australian Supercar series during the 2003/4 series and came 16th at Bathurst that year. David has converted his car to a track car to compete in the GTRNZ series.

2005 Subaru WRX STI:

The Subaru race car was originally owned by Richard Mason who won 4 NZ rally championships. It has now been converted to a track car to run in the GTNZ track series and the endurance series in 2019. It has a modified 700hp engine with a sequential gearbox and Endless brakes. It also is quite lightweight using plastic as a replacement for glass.

Andrew Thomas - 1990 Nissan Skyline GTS-T

A long time car enthusiast and a late starter to Motorsport. Andrew is an active member of the Hutt Valley Motorsport Club and current Club Captain. He enjoys hill climbs and street sprints and is looking to further my involvement with Motorsport. The highlight of my Motorsport career to date is co driving for Matt Gaskin in Targa in 2016 with over 1000 kms. Andrew has been to Leadfoot 4 times previously as a spectator and as pit crew and is looking to tick Millen’s Mile off of his bucket list.

1990 Nissan Skyline GTS-T:

The Nissan Skyline GTS-T running an RB25DET engine and puts out 330kw.
It was purchased as a rolling chassis and was built over the winter of 2016.
It received an extensive make over with many late nights spent in the panel shop.
 

Ben Thomasen - 2019 Polaris RZR Turbo S

Ben is a professional driver for Polaris New Zealand and has competed in the ORANZ Off-Road Championship for the last 6 years. Ben won the championship overall in 2015 and 2017. He also won the NZ 1000 (the longest and toughest endurance race in the Southern Hemisphere) in 2015 and 2017. He has been involved in Motorsport all his life, including motocross, drifting and rallying. Ben had a top 10 finish at Leadfoot 2017.

2019 Polaris RZR Turbo S:

This is the latest and most revolutionary model of RZR side by side yet. It’s also the biggest with a width of 72 inches and 16 inches of ground clearance.
The engine is a 925cc Turbo charge twin 168hp. It features dynamix active suspension and is 2 or 4wd and runs a CVT transmission with a top speed of 160kph.

David Thompson - 1968 Ford Escort

David has raced since the early 1970s in club sport and hill climbs. He did one season in the Shell Sport. David got back into Motorsport in 1997 when his son and competed at the Targa in a Mexico Escort. He purchased a twin cam Escort and competed for 10 years then purchased the present car from Roy Harrington in 2004. David has been racing with Historic Muscle Cars doing selected meetings including the Timaru 50th anniversary 2018.

1968 Ford Escort:

Mk 1 Escort built by Stone Brothers and raced in Bank New South Wales series in 1970s as a 1300 cc Twin Cam. Then the Escort was raced by Roy Harrington in the Shell Sport series where he won 1982 and 1983 Under 2 Litre Championship. David purchased the car from Roy as a complete car so rebuild was relatively easy with no parts missing. Engine is 1598 cc Brian Hart twin cam built by Bruce Manon. Gearbox is a 4 speed Ford Rocket box with an English axle. Wheels are genuine magnesium mini lights 13 x 10 rear and 13 x 9 fronts, car painted as it last raced.

Anne Thomson - 1957 D Type Jaguar Replica

Anne has been involved with owning and racing Vintage and Veteran cars for many years including the 14 litre Grand Prix Darracq she has raced at speed during previous Leadfoot Festivals. Most of her racing to date has been in the Edwardian class. The D-Type Jaguar is new to the stable and having a car with brakes that work will be a new experience for her.

1957 D Type Jaguar Replica:

Built during 1990 and 1999 as a replica of the works D Type Jaguars that won the 24 hours of Le Mans race in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with many other successes and places in major events.
The Jag is based on the original D-Type XKD 534 when it was still in New Zealand and owned by Noel Foster. This car has a full alloy body built by Ray Larsen. The motor is a 3.8 litre Jaguar with 3 twin choke Dellorto Carbs with dry sump lubrication. As a Le Mans entry, the D type was capable of speeds in excess of 180 mph at Mulsanne but was tractable enough to be driven to and from the circuit. The E type Jaguar followed the D type with similar construction but with IRS.

Mike Tubbs - 1992 BMW 325i M3 Coupe E36

Mike competed in his first motorsport event in 1998, the same time as buying the ‘Foxing’ BMW 325i coupe. From 1998 to 2011 Mike rallied in most Targa events achieving class wins and top fives overall. The North Island endurance race series was also a favourite race event for him with co-driver Mike Ashton and they had an exciting outright series win in 2004. The car #31 BMW 325i/M3 coupe and Mike were also active in Hamilton Car Club events and Taranaki rallies for 12 years also.
‘Foxing’ is the car’s nickname and Mike’s is ‘Tubbsy’.

1992 BMW 325i M3 Coupe E36:

In 1993 this E36 BMW coupe driven by Brett Riley was fourth in the Wellington 500 street race and first in class. The New Zealand Touring Car Championships from 1994 to 1998 saw the BMW Motorsport team car #31 driven again by Brett and car #2 driven by Craig Baird competing – with Craig winning from 1994 to 1997. Brett was second and won in 1998. Jason Richards also raced car #31 from 1994-6.

Paul Tulloch - 1991 Toyota MR2

Paul’s love of everything motor powered began very early. He has competed in 4 x 4 Trucks, Speedway, Jet Sprint Boats, Hill Climbs, Gravel and Tar Seal Rally’s including twice competing in the Silverstone Race to the Sky in the Cardrona Valley. Paul loves the challenge of driving the rear engined MR2’s.

1991 Toyota MR2:

The MR2 was originally bought as a write off from Turners Auctions. It started life as a standard non-turbo vehicle. Over the years it has been supercharged and turbocharged. Now powered by a Toyota Lexus V8. The engine had to be shortened by 100mm to fit. It runs 2 left hand heads with the cambelt running on the rear of the engine. It has Coilover suspension, Willwood 4 pot brakes, custom exhaust system and a GT4 Celica Gearbox.
 

Peter Weir - 1995 BMW 328

Starting in motorsport at the age of 9, Peter has competed in club level events right through to national level rallying. Peter has not only been a competitor but also the Club Captain of Dannevirke Car Club for numerous years and in the recent 3 years has been the organizer of the popular and rapidly growing Engine Room Sprint Series based in the lower north island. As well as rallying, Peter competes in the New Zealand Vintage Motocross winning his class in the 2018 Series.

1995 BMW 328:

Stating life as a daily driver and originally a manual 318iS, it was used in road trim for various events before being stripped out to add an Octane Automotive roll cage and other standard safety gear fitted. It has slowly progressed with gravel setup in mind. Custom front shocks have been fitted, the diff welded, a twin plate clutch fitted and the 1.8 engine has been replaced with a 2.8 six cylinder. The paint job is based on an M3 in Finland with hopefully the driving style emulated. The Engine Room Automotive is the main sponsor specialising in European vehicle servicing.
 

Luke Wellacott - 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

Luke is into his 3rd year of racing his Evo X. The passion Luke has for this sport has spread to his family and friends, with his wife and 2 young daughters going to support him at every race meet, and friends working on the car with him Luke still has a lot to learn but with the support network he has they are always there to offer support, advice and help when needed. Luke looks forward to what his Evo X will do in the future.

2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X:

Once a family-driven vehicle, this Evo X is now a race-proven, street legal time attack machine. It is currently the fastest of its type in the country. The team at LW MotorSport have massive goals for this car, including competing in the work time attack round in Sydney. This is one car to watch in the future of New Zealand Motorsport

Paul Westwood - 2017 Spaceframe LS1 RX7

Paul followed in his Dads footsteps racing Midgets and Western Springs speedway. He started racing dirt track at Meremere in 2015 in a Holden Commodore 350 Chev winning the Hotrod class.

2017 Spaceframe LS1 RX7:

The Yellow Peril is a Dirty Dirt Tracker and loves to skid. It races with an altered space frame, an lS1 engine and RX7 body kit. The engine was built by Dwight Scott, who is a very big name in the Rally Scene.

Mad Mike Whiddett - 2004 Badbul Mazda SP3 RX8

Mad Mike was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand and has grown to international stardom in the world of motorsport propelled off the foundations of drifting. Mike is supported by some of the world’s most well-known brands and this year notably celebrates his 10 years with Red Bull and also being internationally factory-backed by Mazda.

Mike has won the Formula Drift Asia Pacific Championship; is three-times New Zealand Drift Nationals Champion; World Powerslide Champion (Norway) and three times Revelation of Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK). He was third in the 2016 Formula Drift World Drift Championship and has many more awards and podiums. He has achieved the International Ambassador Award for motorsport and Outstanding Achievement Award through Motorsport New Zealand. Mike was also a finalist in 2017 for the New Zealander of the Year award for his outstanding work with charities and his dedication to motorsport both in New Zealand and on an international level. Mike has built his international fan base to over 2 million on Facebook alone and is the world’s most-travelled drifter. Mike is now crossing over into other disciplines with a fourth place finish in the Stadium Super Trucks in California United States and he has numerous top 10 finishes in the Australian GT Championship driving the McLaren 650s GT3.

2004 Badbul Mazda SP3 RX8:

ENGINE/INTERIOR/EXTERIOR: 812hp, 20B (3-rotor) Turbo, Honeywell Garrett GTX-4508R Turbo, Haltech Sport2000 ECU, TAKATA race seats & 6 point belts; RacePak dash, Rocket Bunny Mazda R3 RX8 kit; Seibon carbon fiber doors
DRIVELINE: Holinger RD6SS sequential gearbox; Direct Clutch sintered iron clutch & flywheel; Winters quick-change; Driveshaft Shop axles
SUSPENSION / CHASSIS: KW 3way adj suspension; Wisefab steering angle kit; Wilwood Performance forged billet calipers & rotors
WHEELS / TYRES: Front: 18×9.5″ Rotiform NUE, Nitto NT05 225/40R18; Rear: 18×11″ Rotiform SLC 3pc, Nitto NT05 275/35R18

Mike Whiddett - 2013 Mazda RX8 13B Superlite

Mad Mike was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand and has grown to international stardom in the world of motorsport propelled off the foundations of drifting. Mike is supported by some of the world’s most well-known brands and this year notably celebrates his 10 years with Red Bull and also being internationally factory-backed by Mazda.

Mike has won the Formula Drift Asia Pacific Championship; is three-times New Zealand Drift Nationals Champion; World Powerslide Champion (Norway) and three times Revelation of Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK). He was third in the 2016 Formula Drift World Drift Championship and has many more awards and podiums. He has achieved the International Ambassador Award for motorsport and Outstanding Achievement Award through Motorsport New Zealand. Mike was also a finalist in 2017 for the New Zealander of the Year award for his outstanding work with charities and his dedication to motorsport both in New Zealand and on an international level. Mike has built his international fan base to over 2 million on Facebook alone and is the world’s most-travelled drifter. Mike is now crossing over into other disciplines with a fourth place finish in the Stadium Super Trucks in California United States and he has numerous top 10 finishes in the Australian GT Championship driving the McLaren 650s GT3.

2013 Mazda RX8 13B Superlite:

This Superlite short course race truck dubbed RUMBUL made its maiden Leadfoot appearance in 2017 and is back to take on the best driveway / hill climb in New Zealand. The Superlite was originally run in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series in the United States and when the class finished up Mike picked it up out of California and shipped it back to New Zealand. The truck is powered by a Mazda RX8 13B naturally-aspirated engine and no mods have been done since its arrival in New Zealand. Yes, that’s right the class was in fact an all-rotary field! The suspension is a Fox Racing triple by-pass and it runs a Mendeola 4-speed transaxle.  

Ray Williams - 1970 Ford Capri Perana V8

Racing Ray has been racing for more than 45 years and has won more than 300 races. He has raced a variety of cars, including, Escort, Nissan, Porsche and Formula Ford, through to Formula 5000 and an March Indy Car. In 1996 Racing Ray set the New Zealand Outright Land Speed Record at 316 kmh in his Porsche 930 Turbo (some of his records still stand). In 2006 Ray was part of the team to set New Zealand 24 Hour Endurance Records.
He is still racing (and winning) as he approaches 73-years-old.

1970 Ford Capri Perana V8:

This 1970 Ford V8 Perana was built in South Africa as a production car. The engine is a Ford Windsor V8, producing 460hp. Neil Tolich built this car and won his class in Targa several times. Neil also won many races in the classic race series. Lucky for Ray, Neil decided to let him buy it from him!

Grant Woolford - 2018 SF450 Husqvarna Super Motard

This is Grant’s third Leadfoot Festival and he is now addicted. After 25 years in the motorcycle industry and 35 years riding a motorcycle, he is very keen to put a motorcycle in the top 10 this year. After last year’s battle with Stephen Briggs for the fastest motorcycle every run up the hill, he is look forward to doing it again this year but knows it’s no easy challenge, with the quality of competitors at this year’s event.

2018 SF450 Husqvarna Super Motard:

This 2018 Husqvarna 450 super motard is brand new off the shop floor. These bikes are power-to-weight some of the most exciting motorcycles on the planet. They are designed specifically for close circuit racing and it is one of the best motorcycles you could chose for Rod’s driveway. The bike will reach speeds of up to 140kmh on the Leadfoot hill over Waitangi Weekend.

Fanga Dan Woolhouse - 2017 Ford Mustang RTR Drift Car

Daniel Woolhouse, aka Fanga Dan, is a two-time D1NZ Champion and professional drifting driver from Whangarei.

Fanga Dan started drifting professionally 15 years ago when the D1NZ National Drifting Championship was first born. Over the years Fanga has gathered quite the trophy collection with 40-plus podium finishes and two D1NZ Championship titles.

In 2018, Fanga Dan campaigned two new Ford Mustang RTRs, finishing 7th overall in the D1NZ Championship, with a podium finish at Round 2 in Tauranga.

2017 Ford Mustang RTR Drift Car:

The 2017 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D has a Ford Performance supercharged Ford Coyote, 5.0-litre V8 with comp cams. It also has a full RTR Spec 5-D widebody kit, X-Force Exhaust System, AutoART VY Wheels and 265x35x18 Tri-Ace Racing King tyres.
It was built by CTB Performance & Accessories and recently competed at Red Bull Drift Shifters, in Liverpool in the UK.

Bevan Wright - 1970 Morris Mini Cooper S

Bevan has been a competitor in grass roots level motorsport for the last 25 years, competing in street sprints, hill climbs and circuit racing. He has had a passion for racing Minis, Escorts and his Cobra replica. He also enjoys racing and meeting other drivers at any level of the sport. Bevan has raced at Leadfoot Festival several times in his Gulf Cobra, but keen to bring his Mini race car along and give the pre 75 Top 10 a shot in the Mini.

1970 Morris Mini Cooper S:

Bevan’s Morris Cooper S was raced in Japan then imported to New Zealand seven years ago. It is a 1380cc with a straight cut gearbox, adjustable suspension and built to look like a Tarmac Rally Car. This Mini has raced at Mini Nationals events including winning some sealed Motorkhana and Hillclimb events at Nelson. It has also done Drag racing in Masterton and is now being used in Club racing.