F1 line-up for festival

At least six Formula One cars will run in an expanded demonstration section during the Gulf Oil Howden Ganley Formula 5000 Festival at Hampton Downs in January. The expansion of the sessions over both of the weekends of the event – which takes place on January 16-18 and 23-25 – follows the introduction of a F1 spot at the 2014 Ferrari Festival when two 1980s Ferrari turbos and an ex-Gerhard Berger V12-powered 412T wowed the crowds. “These cars have a sensational presence and stop everyone in their tracks,” says Jim Barclay, festival chairman. “Everyone was talking about it after our last festival and we’ve pulled out all the stops to try to build on that. “Those spectators gave us the resounding thumbs-up to another F1 session in a survey we carried out, so we have worked hard to put it together. Along with a huge field of Formula 5000s, a few CanAms and muscle cars, the event is shaping up to be a jaw-dropping spectacle.” It’s intended that at least six cars will run in the F1 sessions, and there are two sessions on each Saturday and Sunday. The Ferrari 412T is back for a second year and is a special guest in a field that includes several cars significant in the career of festival protagonist Howden Ganley. The Maki Cosworth DFV, which Howden demonstrated recently at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, is making the trip along with the V12-powered BRM P180 in which he competed in the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix. The unique Stanley 1977 BRM P207, which enthusiasts may have spotted at the CRC Speedshow, will also run along with another V12-powered car – as well as the 1974 BRM P201 than took part three years ago. Of major interest in addition to the four V12-powered cars will be the North Island debut of Arrows A3Xs, which were full F1 cars with a difference built by Tom Walkinshaw’s team at the turn of the millennium. Both Cosworth-powered units are three-seaters with the fuel tank reduced in size and two seats added. Both cars will take turns during the day with F5000 ace Andy Higgins at the wheel. An early Williams FW03 chassis and rare BRM may yet make the trip from UK as well, potentially boosting the demo car field to eight F1 machines. The now Sir Colin Giltrap-owned ex-Denny Hulme 1973 McLaren M23 will also be present, but as a showpiece in the display. Up to 10 cars will be on show to pay homage to Formula 5000, Ganley and F1. Organisers are hoping the inaugural Formula 5000 World Series will attract the biggest field of these iconic machines for decades, with promises of entries from the UK, UK, Europe and Australia. For festival tickets, visit www.nzfmr.co.nz – early-bird specials are available until the end of November.