The New Zealand Motor Cup has returned to the South Island for a third time to be contested at the 68th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix this weekend at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell. While the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship is likely to be decided on Saturday, the most significant race of the series will continue to hold the attention of all drivers, still vying for the prestige and welcome addition to their motorsport CV.
The first time in the South Island, it was Simon Wills who was presented with the NZ Motor Cup having won the 1998 NZ Grand Prix at the Canterbury Car Club Circuit in Ruapuna, Christchurch. Also on the podium were Scott Dixon and Greg Murphy.
Wills repeated his win in 1999, again at Ruapuna, driving a Formula Holden for Birrana Racing. Australian Brenton Ramsay came in second and Kiwi Matt Hailliday third, ahead of Scott Dixon in fourth.
The New Zealand Motor Cup was originally competed for annually in a 50-mile event known as the Australasian Beach Championship and was won outright in 1928 by R B Wilson, ESQ who in 1953 donated it to the New Zealand International Grand Prix Inc, on condition that it be competed for annually in the Auckland Grand Prix race under its original title.
Hence it morphed into being presented at the New Zealand Grand Prix, but not necessarily at every contested race. While Motorsport NZ decides where and when the NZ Grand Prix will be held, it is The Motorsport Club that decides if the NZ Motor Cup will be presented at the determined race.
Main photo: Simon Wills (left) lines up alongside Scott Dixon for the 1998 NZ Grand Prix at Ruapuna Park in Christchurch
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