At the heart of grassroots motorsport are the stories that don’t always make the headlines — but absolutely should.
This is one of those stories.
Meet Gordon and Tracey Harris — a husband-and-wife team with a passion for racing and a bond that’s as strong as their drive. From the outside, they’re humble, quiet, and incredibly kind. But on the hill? They’re a force to be reckoned with.
A Beetle with Bite
Their car of choice?
A 1960 Volkswagen Beetle.
But don’t be fooled — this isn’t your average classic. Beneath its vintage shell lies a build that’s been crafted with love, precision, and persistence.
The Harris Beetle is a true hill climb contender. High-compression pistons. Strengthened gearbox with custom ratios. Limited-slip diff. In fact, the compression is so high, the spark plugs needed trimming just to fit. Every modification serves a purpose — and every component tells a story of countless hours in the garage.
Built with Heart
What sets Gordon and Tracey apart isn’t just their build — it’s how they approach racing.
They share everything — from driving duties to mechanical problem-solving. While one is behind the wheel, the other is on the stopwatch. They’re a team in every sense of the word, and it’s clear that their success is driven by more than horsepower — it’s built on trust, grit, and shared ambition.
Setbacks? Just Part of the Climb
Like all great stories, theirs comes with challenges.
After repeated engine rebuilds caused by unreliable components, Gordon made a decision: no more custom weak points. He rebuilt the engine from the ground up — going bigger in displacement and switching to durable, off-the-shelf parts to reduce stress and increase power.
The result? A more reliable, more powerful setup — and a fresh chapter for the Beetle.
Taking on the Best
Earlier this year, Gordon and Tracey entered their first major national Volkswagen event. Up against a field of experienced competitors, they held their own and finished with pride. The result? A mid-pack finish that meant the world — not for the placement, but for the effort, teamwork, and joy it represented.
Why We Race
Gordon and Tracey remind us what motorsport is truly about.
Not fame. Not perfection. But the love of the drive. The thrill of building something with your own hands. The satisfaction of overcoming challenges as a team. And the memories made along the way.
Their story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. And we’re honoured to have supported even a small part of their journey.
To Gordon and Tracey — thank you for inspiring us all.
We can’t wait to see what you conquer next.
📸 Got a story like theirs?
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