Lifting the bonnet on Kiwi motorsport’s screen heritage

24 November 2016

Lifting the bonnet on Kiwi motorsport’s screen heritage

From the golden era of Kiwi legends such as Bruce McLaren, NZ’s motorsport film heritage is coming out of the archive and onto the screen during December at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision’s Wellington cinema.

4th NZ Grand Prix at Ardmore circuit near Auckland. From 1957 newsreel Grand Prix Down Under by Pacific Films. Programming coordinator James Taylor says Ngā Taonga is lifting the bonnet on its collection of motorsport films, newsreels and documentaries on the likes of McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, John Britten and Kim Newcombe.

“Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s hard not to be inspired by the sheer inventiveness, talent, courage – and ultimate loss – of the Kiwis who were pioneers, innovators and winners as motorsport developed into the global phenomenon it is today.”
Kim Newcombe and wife Janeen, from the documentary Love, Speed & Loss
Filming of motor-racing was really coming into its own in the 50s and 60s, both for cinema newsreels and home movies.

“Luckily for generations of motorsport fans, our motorsport legends were surrounded by keen amateur and professional filmmakers. In the cockpit, the workshop, behind the scenes with crew and family, and on the track here in NZ and around the world, we gained a wealth of footage,” says James.

Ngā Taonga film conservators have digitally preserved several collections of amateur and professional motorsport films. These include NZ Grand Prix newsreels from the 1950s and 1960s, and footage from Bruce McLaren’s collection which Ngā Taonga cares for.

“We’re very excited to be able to showcase a sample, along with some brilliant motorsport documentaries, over the next few weeks.”

Above captions:
Top: Cars take off from the start line in the 4th NZ Grand Prix at Ardmore circuit near Auckland. From 1957 newsreel Grand Prix Down Under by Pacific Films.
Bottom: Kim Newcombe (1944-1973) and wife Janeen, from the documentary Love, Speed & Loss

FILM NOTES
Motorsport Magic
When: 30 November to 17 December
Where: Main cinema, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki St, Wellington.

The Bruce and Denny Show: McLaren Compilation
NZ, 2001, 1967, 1969, 100 min, Exempt
From a time when New Zealanders took on the motorsport world, this compilation includes, Bruce McLaren and the McLaren motorsport team in 1967; newly- preserved footage of McLaren and Denny Hulme racing in the North American Pan-Am series, which they dominated through the mid 1960s; highlights from the doco on McLaren, Hulme and Chris Amon, Trio at the Top.
When: 7pm Wed 30 Nov, 4.30pm Sat 10 Dec & 7pm Sat 17 Dec

New Zealand Grand Prix 1955-1962
NZ, 1955 - 1962, 60 min, Exempt
Relive the glory days, thrills and spills of grand prix racing in New Zealand in a wonderful compilation of footage from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision's collection.
When: 7pm Wed 7 Dec & 7pm Thurs 15 Dec

ends

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