Motorsport: Muscle car history at Manfeild

The MG Classic meeting will feature a must-see display of cars from the past. Photo / Supplied

Two full days of classic motor-racing action at Manfeild this weekend will be enhanced by a display of sought-after cars with fascinating histories.

The MG Classic meeting at the Feilding track is in its 25th year, and the Manfeild Park Trust has joined in to celebrate this milestone.

Two special events - a car show on day two of racing (Sunday, November 14) and a celebration dinner - will add extra-special flavour to an event that already has iconic standing at the circuit.

"The MG Classic race meeting here has achieved a remarkable status and is synonymous with our venue," said Manfeild chief executive Heather Verry.

"The 25th is something special still, and as host circuit we have been working with the MG Car Club to provide recognition of this year's landmark gathering.

"For some months now we've been working together to find some of the best and more intriguing cars from New Zealand's motoring past to display in our stadium.

"You could say this showcase and the dinner are a birthday treat for all those involved in the best and oldest historic racing meeting in this country."

Entry to the display area is included in the price of a general admission ticket and what's on offer for visitors will be a treat.

"The best birthday presents are surprise gifts. It's appropriate the MG brand will receive special attention, with cars from the 1930s through to the near-present, but that's not all.

"Suffice to say, there are special status vehicles that you would not normally see even at this meeting, sourced from well-known and private collections.

"We believe if you enjoy historic motorsport from the driver's seat or the armchair, there will be something here to savour," said Verry.

The stadium will also be a pit zone for 60 cars competing at the meeting, so there will be plenty of rare and fascinating racing metal to be seen under the 7500sq m roof.

Set to cater for 130 attendees, Saturday night's invitation-only dinner in the stadium suites will include the highlights of the cutting of an anniversary cake and also an auction of the latest original artwork for this year's unique poster.

The annual advertisements have become collectible memorabilia, and auction proceeds will go to the Cancer Society, the meetings' traditional benefactor. Artist John Archbold will be in attendance.

The meeting also recognises the late Sybil Lupp, a motorsport pioneer whose exploits during the 1950s, when she showed she could compete with the top men of the period, were the stuff of national headline.

Lupp was patron of the Wellington Centre and was an honoured guest at the club's 10th anniversary race meeting. She also had a soft spot for MGs and a 1949 MGTC in particular.

The Sybil Lupp Trophy race is also part of Saturday's programme.