GT Radial Thunder in the Park roaring towards Pukekohe

4 November, 2014

If you’re anything like us, 11 racing classes being showcased over one weekend sounds right up our alley, and this year’s GT Radial Thunder in the Park, at Pukekohe Park Raceway on December 5–7, promises to do just that, bringing a racing type for everyone. The class line-up covers GT1, GT2, and NZGT classes, Pro 7, Porsche, NZ Six, SS2000, Formula First, Pre ’65, Central Muscle Cars, Super Mini and Star Cars, Production, and Northern Muscle Cars. 

GT Radial Thunder in the Park to be even bigger and better this year

And we’re not the only ones excited for the event with Deborah Day, GT Radial Thunder in the Park spokeswoman, looking forward to the variety in racing types as well. “All of them always put on a good show and, with such a jam-packed timetable, spectators definitely won’t get bored.”

Thunder in the Park has been held at Pukekohe for over ten years, so event organizers decided to make the anniversary something to remember. So this year the event features increased action both on and off the track. On top of the 11 racing classes, there will also be lunchtime entertainment, a bouncy castle, and a kids zone to add to the family-friendly atmosphere.   

Tickets start at just $23 for an adult, with children under 16 free with any paying adult. Tickets can be bought online at Ticketek, and you can keep up to date with any developments on the Thunder in the Park Facebook page.

Super affordable supercar

The owner of this 1978 GTV, Stephen Perry, with only a skerrick of wishful thinking, says through half-closed eyes, “It is not dissimilar to the Maserati Khamsin”.
The nose is particularly trim and elegant from all angles, featuring cut-outs for the headlights echoing Alfa’s own exotic Montreal. The body is unfussy, lean with lots of glass, and the roofline shows a faint family resemblance — although on a much more angular car — to the curved waistline of the earlier 105s. The slightly hunched rear means there’s much more space in the rear seats than in the cramped rear of 105s — very much a 2+2 — and a generous boot. These more severe lines are not quite as endearing as the 105’s but they are still classy and clearly European.