Brent Esler, Jan McLaren and Eoin Young at Waimate 50
The atmosphere at the second revival event of the Waimate 50 was almost as electric as the Inaugural event held in 1959 – perhaps a testament to the historical significance of a few onlookers in the crowd. Eoin Young and Jan McLaren watched the excitement unfold on Sunday 23 October, each of them having had a part to play in the story of the event.
The original event was a race, but the 2011 revival was run as single sprints on the closed streets of Waimate in South Canterbury. CRT Co-operative invited shareholders to join them at the event, treating them to viewings of ANZPAC’s replica Gulf GT40 and the Gulf branded BMW M3 E36 GTR. Shareholders could also view the Gulf liveried vehicle transporter – it is quite a sight to behold as it boasts giant images of some of the most iconic names in motorsport history that have been associated with the Gulf brand.
Bruce McLaren, took winning honours at the 1959 Waimate 50 and his friend, Eoin Young, was the race announcer. These early days were where the bonds were formed between McLaren, Young and Gulf, and in recognition of this history, Jan McLaren, was taken round the track in the same 1955 Austin Healey 100S her brother drove to victory in 1959. The driver was 80-year-old Josh Timms, the man who drove her brother around the track 52 years earlier!
ANZPAC’s general manager operations, Rob Wilby, thought the day was a huge success. “It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the relationship between Gulf and historical motorsport, and to link in with our customer base. CRT had a prime spot on race day – right beside the finish line and our shareholders had a great vantage point from the huge Gulf vehicle transporter and marquee,” he said.