BIRKDALE’s Craig Mathie says he has three more cars than he needs and one less than he wants.
What he wants is yet to be determined, but Craig said there was always another car to be conquered.
His current favourite is a blue GTR 2001 Ultima, a car which was declared the world’s fastest production car in 2004, when it won the fastest outright lap record on the Top Gear track.
Craig, 58, is the second owner of this car, bought from a friend who he knew from his days as an apprentice boiler maker.
“It took me seven years to talk him into selling me the car before he finally capitulated,” Craig said.
“I grew up one of seven, the son of a boiler maker. Special things were rare in my family. I remember having a Scalextric set. In the 1980s I loved the shape and design of the Le Monde race cars. That era appeals to me.”
Craig said the Ultima was a rare and highly recognisable car.
“You see it once and you go, ‘yeah, that car’,” he said.
Craig enjoys racing the car, and this year has won his division at the Leeburn sprints, with his competition including a 911 Porsche Iroc, a Ferrari SP6 V12 replica and Shelby Cobra Daytona.
Craig is also a regular competitor at hill climbs, including the Mount Cotton Hill Climb.
Craig is co-administrator of the Brisbane Super Car club. Among his fleet is a rare Porsche Spider, one of only seven in the country.
“Belonging to the car group gives you access to more information and the ability to chat with other members about cars in general,” he said.
“The group follows strict road rules and encourages excellent presentation to the general public.
“There is no hooning allowed.”
