The eighth edition of CRC Speedshow, running July 19-20, will be the biggest yet. With two new halls – one for classic cars and motorcycles, the other for a nationwide radio-controlled race car championship – and a brand-new outside Park N Sell area, this year’s CRC Speedshow offers show-goers nearly 50 percent more displays to enjoy at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds.

 

Here’s a rundown of this year’s show highlights for Motor Equipment News readers.

 

 

A month-long trip tracing America’s famous Route 66 behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang is the stuff of dreams – yet that’s exactly what a lucky showgoer is going to win at this year’s CRC Speedshow.

 

The trip for two is worth $23,000, and is the biggest door prize yet for the show, which is the largest annual automotive and motor sport show in Australasia.

 

The Route 66 trip prize has been put up by Classic Driver magazine, co-sponsor of the new Classic Cover Insurance Classic Car show-within-a-show. The new classic vehicle show features around 35 hand-picked classic cars and motorcycles in their own dedicated hall (more details below) and Classic Driver magazine publisher Wes Davies says he wanted a “really special” door prize to draw attention to it.

 

“Route 66 is America’s ‘mother road’ and it has a near mythical status all over the world. Anyone with an interest in classic cars or motorbikes will tell you that a trip on it – from Chicago to Los Angeles – is on their bucket list,” Davies says.

 

The prize draw is open to anyone 25 years or older who attends this year’s CRC Speedshow, and correctly fills in the entry form. The winner and nominated partner then join 11 other couples on one of two Route 66 tours from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2015.

 

Davies explains that the tours are guided by Route 66 expert Roger Allison and virtually everything – return air travel from Auckland or Christchurch, all accommodation and breakfasts, and the hire of a convertible Ford Mustang complete with radio telephones and pre-programmed GPS units – is included in the prize.

 

Along the way the lucky door prize winner and his or her traveling companion will get to see and experience all that is good about a top-down cross-country road trip in the United States, from the opportunity to visit museums and places of interest along the way, to spending two nights in Las Vegas and visit the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. 

 

“It’s fantastic, isn't it, and I can’t thank Wes enough for putting the Route 66 trip up as our door prize,” says CRC Speedshow director Ross Prevette. “I don’t think there could be a better or more appropriate way to promote the new classic component of the 2014 CRC Speedshow.”

 

Show visitors should look for the Route 66 prize draw entry form in their show bags and make sure they complete it and place it in the entry box located on the Classic Driver site in the Classic Cover Insurance Classic Car Show hall.

 

 

A trophy-winning Chev C10 low-rider pickup is the first vehicle to be confirmed for this year’s Castrol Edge/Teng Tools Custom Show.

 

New at the 2013 CRC Speedshow, the custom show was a very popular highlight with show visitors and entrants alike, attracting New Zealand’s best custom cars, bikes and pickups, from traditional hot rods to Aussie and American street machines and wickedly-modified Japanese and European customs.

 

Custom show co-ordinator Kate Gordon-Smith says among the dozens of entries are diverse vehicles such as a completely customised VW Beetle Volksrod, a channelled eight inch Ford Roadster, a 1973 Mazda 616 Capella, and a 1948 Chevrolet COE hot-rodded truck.

 

“Even from the simple facts listed on the entry forms, you can see the passion and dedication it takes to create these custom, modified vehicles,” says Kate. 

 

“The Castrol Edge/Teng Tools Custom Show incorporates 11 categories – from traditional hot rods, street machines and pickups to unfinished projects and custom motorcycles – which makes this show unique and really interesting for both entrants and the tens of thousands of fans who enjoy seeing this diverse array of custom and modified vehicles on show.”

 

Around 60 vehicles feature in the custom show with entrants receiving a goodie bag, courtesy of sponsors, and having a chance to win category prizes and the overall star car of the show which is selected by show visitors who vote for their favourite to receive the people’s choice award. Voters also go in the draw to win a great prize package.

 

 

New this year is the Classic Cover Insurance Classic Show, which celebrates New Zealand’s incredible heritage of classic vehicles in a dedicated hall featuring dozens of New Zealand’s finest classic cars and motorcycles.

 

“For those who like their vehicles in a more classic, original or vintage style, the first-ever Classic Cover Insurance Classic Show takes place at CRC Speedshow this year,” says Ross Prevette. 

 

“We appreciate the support of Classic Cover Insurance in creating this new display hall featuring around 35 pristine, restored, and original, cars and motorcycles. From the photos received to date, there are some absolute beauties including an immaculate Ford Escort, a very rare Jensen Inceptor convertible, some fantastic Triumph, Suzuki and BMW motorcycles, and a range of absolutely stunning American Fords and Chevys from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. 

 

 “If all the gorgeous classic cars and bikes aren’t enough reason to make sure you visit the classic show in pavilion six near the main gates, you might like to note that the Classic Driver site in this hall is the only place where you can submit your completed entry form for the chance to win the amazing month-long trip worth $23,000 driving America’s famed Route 66!” 

 

 

A new area for the public to sell their competition or classic car, or motorcycle, called the Park ‘N’ Sell zone, offers around 45 owners the opportunity to have their vehicle featured on the CRC Speedshow website, www.speedshow.co.nz, for the month prior to the show, and for the vehicle to be displayed in the designated area during the two-day show.

 

“With more than 35,000 people expected to attend this year’s CRC Speedshow, our Park ‘N’ Sell participants can present their vehicle to this targeted audience of car enthusiasts,” says Ross.

 

“We have elected to offer this opportunity to owners of competition or classic vehicles as these categories don’t appear to often have the chance to display their vehicles for sale at organised events such as CRC Speedshow.

 

“Space is limited to around 45 vehicles, but we hope the new Park ‘N’ Sell zone creates yet another interesting reason to make sure the dates of this year’s CRC Speedshow are marked as ‘must go’ on your calendar.”

 

The fee to register for the CRC Speedshow Park ‘N’ Sell zone will be $50, and provides a month-long website listing, the vehicle display space at the show, and one adult general admission ticket for both days of the show.

 

“We’re looking forward to seeing a great array of race cars or bikes, karts, speedway racers, off-roaders and classic cars and motorcycles in the Park ‘N’ Sell zone. Each vehicle needs to be at least a rolling chassis, even if it’s a work-in-progress, and we’ll have full terms and conditions on our website very soon.”

 

He says registrations will soon be open, and anyone wishing to be notified when the registration process is available should contact the Park ‘N’ Sell coordinator by sending a message via the show’s Facebook page or emailing theteam@speedshow.co.nz.

 

 

Seventeen rising and established stars of New Zealand motor sport have been confirmed for a new feature display called the Kiwi Young Guns at this year’s CRC Speedshow, with the final three participants being confirmed in coming weeks.

 

The line-up of New Zealand’s under 25-year-old, exciting, new racing talent includes off-roaders, karters, drifters, motorcycle racers, circuit and speedway racers, drag racers and rally drivers, and is supported by Total Lubricants.

 

With Christchurch kart racer Caleb Cross the youngest at age 13 ,and Papamoa drifter Jodie Verhulst the oldest, having just turned 26, the Kiwi Young Guns selected were originally nominated by their motor sport organisations or media representatives who have been following their developing careers behind the wheel. 

 

More than 40 competitors’ names were put to public vote on CRC Speedshow’s Facebook page, with thousands of votes deciding which young stars would be invited to participate in the Total-backed display.

 

The 17 so far confirmed, including four females, cover the gamut of motor sport disciplines, from circuit racing to motocross, and span virtually the length and breadth of New Zealand. 

 

The Kiwi Young Guns, supported by Total Lubricants, are:

 

 

Hastings-based Oil Imports Ltd is the official New Zealand importer and distributor of Total Lubricants, and marketing manager Greer Marshall says that the opportunity to support the Kiwi Young Guns concept is an  excellent “fit” for the company.

 

“You only have to look at the international scene these days – there are more young Kiwis making a name for themselves in Europe, the US and Australia than ever before,” says Greer. “By getting behind the Kiwi Young Guns display we’re investing, if you like, in the next wave and that is a big priority for us – recognising, supporting and encouraging talent from the outset.”

 

Most of the Young Guns also plan to attend the show in person to meet current and future fans.