Is anyone on here attending the 2020 Toyota Festival at Highlands??

[m.rance]

As in title just wondering if anyone was showing their MR2 or even just going

[Benckj]

I’ll most likely be there but no track laps. They took the fun out of it last time by charging heaps to follow a safety car around.

[m.rance]

Oh that would take all the fun out of it. I have booked my car into the show and shine on the saturday. Hope to see you there maybe

[Benckj]

Exactly. First year they had it the track laps were a blast. After that the safety police along with Tony Quinn raised the price and took all the fun out of it. Still a good festival to attend but wouldn’t waste any money on track laps.

I can look up dates but might be best to list when it is here Matt.

[Benckj]

Answering my own question. March-7-8th for Highlands.

https://highlands.co.nz/event/toyota-festival/

[Alsw20]

Just had a look at the prices. $150 for four fifteen minute track session. Now if that was at least like a Powercruise style give it heaps on the straight and don’t pass people around corners that would be fine, but following a pace car at a set speed? Taking the piss.

[Benckj]

It’s worse than that Al. $119 for 2 x A+C track sessions and $199 for the same + 2 full track sessions. Each session is 15min which is pretty decent. They don’t really state having to follow safety car but this is what was imposed last time.

[ClanFever]

Sounds like a the targa tour mode where you get to follow the safety car and pay bucket loads for it... unfortunately the tracks used for Toyota Festival are owned by those who can be quoted in saying they don't want people who can't afford expensive cars to use the tracks...

I can't make it to the South Island for it this year, I would like to see there being no disconnect between those with 1000K, 100K, 10K and 1K in their bank accounts, everyone should be able to have a good time. Obviously the more you have, the better car you will probably have, but who's to say going around at max rpms in a Corolla or Auto MR2 is no less fun then cruising at the same speed in a Mclaren...

[Benckj]

Not really sure how they will run the event on the day. Vague details in the track blurb info. All the same, I have to make a run to the Qtwn airport that day so will pop in the morning to see a few mates, watch a few runs and exit early. Hope to meet a few MR2s there.

[mickeyduck]

unfortunately the tracks used for Toyota Festival are owned by those who can be quoted in saying they don't want people who can't afford expensive cars to use the tracks...

Speaking as someone directly responsible for helping start the Toyota Festival in the first place (with our AGM at Taupo in 2013, in cahoots with the Altezza Club and through discussions with Playday on Track and with Toyota's motorsports and PR people of the day) I have to say the events at Hampton's over the years have been great but only because we can drive our cars as fast as we like, and only because we can still do so on the original circuit.

What is absurd to my mind is that Mr Quinn has made it near impossible for folks like ourselves to do so at Hamptons at any other time of year, access to that original circuit being restricted to a very small subset of those who once were able to enjoy that awesome track at any time of year.

And if he sneaks a safety car into track time at the Highlands Toyota Festival without making it very clear pre-purchase, then in my estimation both he and Toyota ought to be taken to task for essentially defrauding those who paid for track time.

Perhaps the best thing that can happen is for nobody to register for track time at Highlands? Lack of financial return might make these clowns wake up and give us (the customer) a fair deal.

Facebook needs to be full of people stating they need a written assurance there will be no pace car at Highlands before they buy into track time. There's a social media mission for you Olaf.

And if they say there won't be a pace car, be sure to screen-shot it!

We started this thing anyway. It wasn't actually Toyota and it sure wasn't Tony Quinn. I hit the Altezza Club up for combined track time and because Nick worked at NST that brought in the 86 Club (always keen on track time) and Toyota. I remember suggesting to Toyota's motorsports and PR people that an annual track day for Toyota owners would be a great idea. I was out to gain us (MR2 owners) an affordable annual track day and it was great that our Committee and club members were right into it too. Happily the 86 was being released and Toyota got behind the idea as a marketing exercise. The result has been epic.

But if Toyota's deal with one track owner makes the Toyota Festival go sour for us (the customer) then I don't see any reason why history can't simply repeat itself sans Mr Quinn. A Toyota Festival is nothing without attendees and there are plenty of other places we could have an annual track day.

Did you know we probably have the highest ratio of race tracks per head of population in the world? Cool eh?

This is our event not Mr Quinn's. Let's keep it "on track", keep them honest.

17 March 2013 - Playday On Track "Taupo Toyota Fun Day"

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10872

Taupo on track.jpg (236.35 KiB) Viewed 2396 times

[Benckj]

Just got home from a trip away to take car for a burn around the block. First time I’ve driven since getting home from Manfield.

Car went and stopped under its own power so ready to hit Highlands tomorrow. What time is everyone arriving?

[m.rance]

Just got home from a trip away to take car for a burn around the block. First time I’ve driven since getting home from Manfield.

Car went and stopped under its own power so ready to hit Highlands tomorrow. What time is everyone arriving?

I am planning on being in the area around 7ish in the morning and trying to find somewhere to give my car a clean if needed (hopefully I dont need to) i will have to see what the roads and bugs are like. Judging for the show and shine starts at 9am so I will be at Highlands before then

[mickeyduck]

I hope you guys get to enjoy the track unfettered.

Some photos / video would be nice too if you can manage it.

Hope you have a great time!

[GDII]

Sounds like there is a little Blacktop 4AGE KE70 running circles around the A90s and SW20s.

[Benckj]

Very low turn out which made good spectator and track runs. I didn’t do the track but there was heaps of free activities for us show & shine boys. F1 simulators and rides in 4WD around special off road course. My wife’s uncle who came with me had a great time.