Begg FM4 history
The Begg FM4 at Teretonga's Classic Speed Fest in 2007. Copyright Kevin Thomson 2007. Used with permission.
The one-off Begg FM4 was designed by Fred McLean for George Begg's team. David Oxton gave the Begg marque its best Tasman result so far with third place in the Begg FM4 at Teretonga in 1972.
The Begg FM2 had proved successful in the domestic New Zealand Gold Star series but was well off the pace at international level. The Begg FM4 was a much-improved car, and was first raced at the Lady Wigram Trophy, the third round of the 1971 Tasman series. It was raced by Geoff Mardon in the Tasman series and in the Gold Star. After narrowly failing to win the 1970/71 Gold Star title, Mardon retired, and Begg employed Aucklander David Oxton to drive the car in the 1971/72 season. He immediately won two Gold Star rounds, and finished second in two others. He also went very well in the 1972 Tasman series races, qualifying sixth at Teretonga Park, and finishing an excellent third after a gamble to use dry tyres paid off.
With the Begg FM5 now ready to race, the FM4 was sold to Garry Pedersen, who went very well in it. He won at Timaru in November 1972, and had a string of good finishes. It continued to race in New Zealand until the end of the Formula 5000 category in 1976.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
. Copyright Marcus Pye 2006. Used with permission.
Built for the 1970/71 season, and first raced by Geoff Mardon at Wigram in January 1971. Raced by David Oxton in the 1971/72 Gold Star. After being driven once by Allan McCully in a Gold Star round, the FM4 was sold to Garry Pedersen in October 1972, and rebuilt with a wedge body for the 1972/73 Gold Star. Then to Bill David for Robbie Booth to race in the 1974 Internationals, the 1974/75 Gold Star events, and the 1975 Internationals. Then to Gary Love for the 1976 Internationals, but the car's history is then unknown until it was acquired by Allan Hamilton in Australia some time before 1990. Next seen with Graham Brayshaw (Brookby, Auckland, New Zealand) in 2004, and retained until 2006. Then to the Rush family, and raced by Timothy Rush in the 2007/08 F5000 Tasman Revival series. Raced by Tim but also sometimes by Terry in the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2011/12 series. Last seen racing in November 2011, but still in The Rush Collection in September 2020.
Driven by: Geoff Mardon, David Oxton, Allan McCully, Garry Pedersen, Robbie Booth and Gary Love. First race: Wigram (Tasman R3), 16 Jan 1971. Total of 37 recorded races.
Acknowledgements
George Begg's book 'A Classic World & When the Engine Roars' gives a detailed account of the Begg FM4.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
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