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http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/levin.html
http://www.nzracer.com/247.html
Like many aspects of New Zealand’s past - there are small townships that have a big story to tell when it comes to being part of the world stage.
One relates to the birth of the Levin Motor Racing Circuit. While it wasn’t a world beater, it became a notable spring-board for some of this country’s historical driving talent.
A relatively taciturn township one hour north of Wellington, the path of state highway one right through the middle made for a well-worn route used by many of the world’s best drivers.
From conception to reality, the idea to create a permanent racing circuit was shouldered by immigrant Ron Frost. A businessman in the motor industry, Frost based himself in the post-war township; he was full of ideas on continuing with the racing he enjoyed so much in England.
With ruffled feathers after having to be ‘observed’ during a race meeting at Ohakea, Frost and his FIA competition licence decided things would have to change.
Following nearly two years of planning and cajoling, Frost had permission from the Levin Racing Club to establish a permanent circuit. With backing and financial assistance from messers Vic Hudson, Les Burnham, Syd Jensen, Selwyn Hyde, Arnold Stafford and Keith Wyness, Frost raised five hundred pounds and formed the Levin Motor Racing Circuit Ltd.
What evolved was a sealed mile-long circuit inside a resurrected horse racing facility. With the two factions co-habiting, the growth of motorsport and Levin as a venue for championship racing saw the town multiply in size on an annual basis. Along with the cars and drivers, the flocking spectators created massive congestion for the local constabulary - choked by crowds that would exceed 20,000 people in a township of 8,000 residents.
With the first ever race meeting on the 14th January 1956, its design and layout showed promise despite the ‘green’ nature of the seal that started breaking up early in the weekend. Following remedial work that saw the entire circuit resurfaced and widened from 24ft to 30ft it was also lengthened to 1.2 miles for the second event: 22nd October 1956.
It was from this very humble beginning that spawned an era of history that brushed the 21 year mark before the chequered flag dropped for the final time.
While few of the original group remained for its duration, many had the chance to see some of the world’s best drivers drive down-under at the tricky circuit.
Frost’s tenacity and passion are to be largely credited for creating a piece of national history that now sleeps peacefully.
From the first meeting to event number sixty, the twenty year history of the Levin Motor Racing Circuit has been captured by Murray and Colleen Carkeek. Evolving in to an illustrated publication has taken many years - based solely on the recorded facts and figures produced at each meeting.
http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/levin.html
http://www.nzracer.com/247.html
Like many aspects of New Zealand’s past - there are small townships that have a big story to tell when it comes to being part of the world stage.
One relates to the birth of the Levin Motor Racing Circuit. While it wasn’t a world beater, it became a notable spring-board for some of this country’s historical driving talent.
A relatively taciturn township one hour north of Wellington, the path of state highway one right through the middle made for a well-worn route used by many of the world’s best drivers.
From conception to reality, the idea to create a permanent racing circuit was shouldered by immigrant Ron Frost. A businessman in the motor industry, Frost based himself in the post-war township; he was full of ideas on continuing with the racing he enjoyed so much in England.
With ruffled feathers after having to be ‘observed’ during a race meeting at Ohakea, Frost and his FIA competition licence decided things would have to change.
Following nearly two years of planning and cajoling, Frost had permission from the Levin Racing Club to establish a permanent circuit. With backing and financial assistance from messers Vic Hudson, Les Burnham, Syd Jensen, Selwyn Hyde, Arnold Stafford and Keith Wyness, Frost raised five hundred pounds and formed the Levin Motor Racing Circuit Ltd.
What evolved was a sealed mile-long circuit inside a resurrected horse racing facility. With the two factions co-habiting, the growth of motorsport and Levin as a venue for championship racing saw the town multiply in size on an annual basis. Along with the cars and drivers, the flocking spectators created massive congestion for the local constabulary - choked by crowds that would exceed 20,000 people in a township of 8,000 residents.
With the first ever race meeting on the 14th January 1956, its design and layout showed promise despite the ‘green’ nature of the seal that started breaking up early in the weekend. Following remedial work that saw the entire circuit resurfaced and widened from 24ft to 30ft it was also lengthened to 1.2 miles for the second event: 22nd October 1956.
It was from this very humble beginning that spawned an era of history that brushed the 21 year mark before the chequered flag dropped for the final time.
While few of the original group remained for its duration, many had the chance to see some of the world’s best drivers drive down-under at the tricky circuit.
Frost’s tenacity and passion are to be largely credited for creating a piece of national history that now sleeps peacefully.
From the first meeting to event number sixty, the twenty year history of the Levin Motor Racing Circuit has been captured by Murray and Colleen Carkeek. Evolving in to an illustrated publication has taken many years - based solely on the recorded facts and figures produced at each meeting.