Though New Zealand has produced many great sportsmen, in the eyes of F1 fans three names spring to mind, but only one of them went on to win the World Championship.

While Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon have achieved legend status over the years, the former particularly in respect of the all-conquering team he founded, Denny 'The Bear' Hulme, who won the 1967 title, has never had quite the recognition he deserved.

Hopefully things will begin to change with a festival at Hampton Downs in New Zealand next year (January 18-20 and 25-27) when the great man will be honoured.

Organisers of the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing, which next year honours the country's only Formula One World Champion, have announced that family passes have now been made available. The pass - available to purchase only from the NZFMR website - will cost just $60 and provides General Admission access for up to two adults and five children (under 18) for one day on each of the two weekends - either January 18-20 or 25-27.

"Ticket sales have been going very well especially with our Early Bird offers that ended in October," says Chairman Jim Barclay. "We have also been getting more and more requests for some sort of family pass from our feedback on Facebook and email and that's why we are now offering a one day family pass.

"Fans should note, however, that it is only available from the website and that it is only GA and not Grandstand access. However, that's going to be fine for the family looking to make a day or weekend of it."

A revival mini Can-Am series, and the world's biggest annual gathering of Formula 5000 cars head the bill over both weekends of the Gulf-backed event, but there will be hundreds of interesting cars both on and off the track with a special relevance to the life and career of Hulme.

Static displays will include his Formula One car, his championship winning Can-Am car and even his first road car!

A fitting tribute to a man who was a genuine hero of motor sport (right up until his death)... as was his father, though his heroism had nothing to do with sport.

Note: Picture courtesy of Pat Kerr