7 Feb 2014

Veteran driver to miss NZ Grand Prix

4:04 pm on 7 February 2014

The oldest man to have raced in any grand prix in the world will have to sit out this weekend's New Zealand Grand Prix because he can't get a car.

Aucklander Kenny Smith was aiming to clock up his 48th consecutive appearance at this weekend's Grand Prix in Manfeild.

The 72-year-old won the event in 1976, 1990, and 2004, and was an early mentor to motor sport drivers Scott Dixon and Brendon Hartley.

Smith says a car was promised to him but the owner's had a change of heart so it will sit in a garage instead.

Despite the setback Smith says it hasn't put him off his goal of reaching 50 appearances at the event.