Posted in
Sport by
Steve Parry on January 22nd, 2009
Taking place over the weekend 23-25 January 2009 is the New Zealand round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, and this will be held at the Taupo Circuit.
A1GP pits nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport. Drivers from more than 20 nations compete in identical single-seater race cars as equals without financial or technological advantage.
This year’s event could prove to be New Zealand’s fastest ever motor race owing to the new breed of A1GP cars powered by Ferrari. These new cars have been breaking lap records at many circuits and the Taupo record, held by an older generation A1GP car, is seriously under threat.
Having shared driving duties with Earl Bamber for the current season of A1GP racing, Chris van der Drift gets back behind the wheel of A1 Team New Zealand’s car Black Beauty for Round Four of Season Four of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
There is still high interest in the event, with ticket sales on a par with those last year and large crowds expected over the weekend, especially for the Sprint and Feature races that take place on the Sunday.
Supporting the A1GP event will be the ENZED V8 Ute series, the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup, iconic Muscle Cars and the Toyota Racing Series.
Posted in
News by
Greta Simpson on November 7th, 2007
Well, they might have stolen Phar Lap, but the Aussies will just have to suck it up over New Zealand’s victory in 2007′s Melbourne Cup.
New Zealand trained horse, Efficient, romped home to win the $NZ6.17 million epic race at Flemington yesterday.
New Zealand trainer Graeme Rogerson was on top of the world after the win, which followed first placings in the Cox Plate and Golden Slipper races. Efficient was a surprise win – a year ago, he won the Victoria Derby, but had been below form since then. Rider Michael Rodd took Efficient to the win with a late run, which knocked Purple Moon from pole position to second and bringing Irish trained Mahler to third place.
Overall New Zealand trained horses didn’t fare so well though, with next best Sculptor finishing ninth, collecting $NZ133,000 for Levin owner-trainer Peter McKenzie. Other Kiwi equines Princess Coup and Railings placed 13th and 19th respectively.
Since the race was first run in 1861, New Zealand bred horses have won 41 Melbourne Cups, the first in 1883 when Martini Henry was placed first. In more recent times, our own equines have won 28 of the last 50 Melbourne Cup races, including Ethereal (2001), Might and Power (1997), Doriemus (1995) and Kiwi (1983).
Find out more about the Aotearoa racing scene in our New Zealand horse racing section.
