Each year it gets bigger and bigger, and this weekend’s CRC Speedshow at the ASB Auckland Showgrounds is set to again raise the bar.
Ahead of its grand opening this Saturday, here’s an A-Z sampling of what Speedshow of 2018 has to offer.
Action Arena
The unique thing about Speedshow that separates it from many other grand shows is that it isn't just limited to still-life indoor exhibits. Indeed, some of those exhibits actually get put through their paces via the Sound Live Action Arena outside.
Many of the best bits from below will make some kind of appearance at the arena, and they'll be joined by stunt and drag bikes, cruises, and a lot more.
Our pick is the annual 'fan favourite'; the Ultimate Speed Machine Challenge. This event pits some of the most nimble cars in the country against one another through a tight course. Racing-spec lawn mowers will face off against go-karts, rally cars, time-attack cars, ATVs, Formula SAE projects, race-bred Minis, and heaps more.
Bentley
Luxury rarely gets more indulgent than being inside a Bentley, although the manufacturer's best-selling Continental GT has been getting a little long in the tooth over the last few years.
But, no longer. An all-new Continental GT has been revealed. We've played with all its fancy buttons, and driven it at its global launch ... and this weekend it'll be among the Giltrap Group's heavy hitters on display.
Drifting
As you’d expect, the Link ECU D1NZ National Drifting Championship will have multiple cars from its recently completed season on display, but that’s just part of it.
The main event will be live performances in the outdoor Action Arena, where former series champs Darren Kelly (Nissan R35 GT-R) and 'Fanga Dan' Woolhouse (Ford Mustang RTR) will go head-to-head in a plumb of smoke and shredded rubber.
Experts
If you're wanting to learn more about the finer things in motoring, Speedshow's huge list of friendly exhibitors holds a mammoth amount of advice.
The bounds of that advice. Seeking the inside word on race car safety, insurance of a classic or collectable car, towing etiquette, becoming part of a motorsport car club, mechanical upgrades, mechanicals like transmissions and clutches ... it's all covered and much more. Click here to check out the full Speedshow exhibitor list.
Hot rods, customs, and classics
Speedshow's biggest strength in recent years has been its support by the Kiwi hot rodding and customiser community.
The Teng Tools Grand National Rod & Custom Show is back, with arguably New Zealand's most competitive gathering of beautifully presented American classics — ranging from tastefully optioned restorations to next-level builds that wouldn't look out of place on the US circuit.
On top of that will be the many other classics; either taking part in Sunday's Meguiars Charity Cruise or poised on display inside.
Want more insight? Driven's article covering the 12 weirdest cars from last year's show should do the trick.
Hyundai
New-car displays will be scattered all over the show, from Aston Martin to Toyota. But it’s Hyundai’s presence that’s particularly impressive.
A raft of its new machines will be there, including the popping and banging i30 N hot hatch, all-new Santa Fe, and Kona Electric.
But on top of that, it will also have some Ioniq EVs that punters can take for a test drive. Though EVs have been the talk of the town for years now in the motoring world, few people have sampled one for themselves, and Hyundai aims to change that.
Jet car
Photo / Speedshow
EVs not quite your thing? Well ... how about the Kumho Tyres Vaporiser Jet Car?
Piloted by Steve Zahorodry, the flame-spitting funny car has become a fan favourite at Speedshow. And to mix things up this year it will be fired up (pun entirely intentional) in the Saturday twilight — certain to light up the Ellerslie skies into the night.
Motorsport
Naturally, a stack of race cars will be present at Speedshow this year across a multitude of different umbrellas.
Toyota are celebrating 15 years of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series, which continues to churn out incredible race drivers. The Auckland Car Club, GTRNZ, 24 Hours of Lemons, and 'tier one' Speedworks Events groups will all be attending with their own range of varied racers in tow as well.
Movies
Each year Speedshow has one big central display of cars along a certain theme, and this year that theme is movie cars.
Cast your mind back to the '70s and '80s and some of the biggest cinema stars were of the four-wheeled variety. The DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future, the Ford Falcon XBGT from Mad Max, Eleanor from the Gone in 60 Seconds remake, General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard ... they’ll all be there, and more.
Porsche
Technically, Speedshow will function as the public debut of Porsche's new Nürburgring-crushing 911 GT2 RS, after a select few Kiwis got to peruse the 'Widowmaker' at the Porsche 70th Anniversary 'Sportscar Together' event last month.
It joins the Giltrap Group's comprehensive stall along with the aforementioned Continental GT.
The Stig
As previously reported, the original Stig from BBC’s Top Gear — former Formula 1 ace Perry McCarthy — will be touching down at Speedshow for his New Zealand debut.
Few motoring personalities have more incredible yarns to share than Perry, and he will be sharing them in a Q&A Meet the Stig open forum event at the Action Arena. Speedshow visitors can also try to Beat the Stig on racing simulators, as well as grab photos and autographs.
To read our full exclusive interview with Perry McCarthy, click here.
Ultimate Garage
Prizes are scattered throughout Speedshow, with individual stall holders, as well as the show, offering giveaways galore.
But perhaps the biggest prize is the Century Batteries Ultimate Garage Competition. All attendees need to do is visit the show’s four stamping booths and complete an entry form, and they’ll go in the draw to win all they need to turn their humble garage at home into the ultimate in spanner spinning Nirvana.
Included in the bundle (which is estimated to be worth in the tens of thousands) is a custom Beerbowser fridge, garage flooring, car upholstery services, hand and power tools, neon signs, Husqvarna garden equipment, and plenty more.
That's our A–Z of CRC Speedshow, but it's not exhaustive by any means. There's so much more there in the way of cars, industry, and people to see in person. To find out more, click here to visit their website.