View email in your browser
Monthly Newsletter of the Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand June 2021
From the Chair Greetings All, I gather that a good time was had by all on the Motorcycle Reliability Run. Willie tells me that all went smoothly and there were no accidents to mar the day. Good one, Willie.
Our next Club meeting will be the AGM which will be the 14th of June as the 1st Monday (7th) is of course Queen’s Birthday. It also means that our Winter Wander will fall on the
1
day before our meeting rather than after - I know you have all been sent details of this, so please let the organisers know if you are going in good time, as a lot of hard work goes into organising an enjoyable day out.
At the AGM, as well as the reports for the year and the presentation of Long Service Badges, we have an update of the Rules to adopt. I know that these have been sent out to you all already, and there will also be copies at the meeting to view.
We are still looking for people to fill committee positions, particularly a Club Captain, as Hugh is stepping down from that role. It is a leadership role and is recompensed a little in recognition of the amount of driving involved in checking routes etc. Please consider joining us on the committee. If you have an interest in how the club is run, this is for you, even if you are new to the club.
Oh! and just a reminder that traditionally we bring a small plate of finger food for the supper after our meetings. See you on the 14th! - Tina Goodin
From the Club Captain Hello everyone The club has had a busy and interesting year, that was also a little unusual. I think Covid has had an effect on many clubs and activities. I have enjoyed my time as Club Captain and would like to thank Kevin Ball for his help, I am not sure what I am going to do this year as I am waiting for a knee replacement. It is encouraging to see new members joining and I urge them not to be shy and get involved with the running of the club. We recently had a very successful a run with the Wellington club, and I hope to see more contact with neighbouring clubs. Also, it would be good to see the club rooms used more for functions and events. The current Committee has updated arrangements with\ the A&P Association, which will make it easier for us to hire out our facilities. - Hugh Hunter
2
Recent Events Motorcycle Reliability Run Clive Somerville wasn’t quite sure where Masterton was when he left Waikato to take part in the May motorcycle reliability trial run by the Wairarapa branch of the Vintage Car Club. “I thought it was somewhere around Taupo,” he confessed at the start of the popular run. He persevered though, and after six hours of riding fronted up at Clareville showgrounds for the start of the annual event. For his efforts fellow bikers voted him most deserving winner of the trophy. And then he faced another six hours ride to get home. The run was originally set out for the cancelled national vintage bikes rally, a victim of covid-19. Organiser Willie James decided to put the route to good use for the reliability run. Eighteen riders on 16 bikes (one pillion and one in a sidecar) took part. They travelled from Clareville, through Masterton and on to Alfredton, Pongaroa and Dannevirke for lunch. The 36km afternoon run included a loop returning to the overnight stop in Pahiatua. Sunday morning’s section saw the riders head to Eketahuna via Pongaroa and Alfredton. Willie said conditions were fine until the lunch stop at Eketahuna, after which rain poured down until Mt Bruce. The decision to award the trophy to Clive Somerville was unanimous, he said. - Kevin Ball From a Rider's Perspective This year's Motorcycle Winter Reliability trial took place on the 8th/9th May. I’ve been on a few of these outings, and they are always entertaining. This year's format was to ride from Clareville to Hawkes Bay on the Saturday, stay overnight in a motel in Pahiatua, and then take a long route back home on Sunday. We left the clubrooms a bit after 9 o‘clock, 12 bikes and riders, plus a couple of passengers and tail end Charlie crew. The weather forecast was good. We picked up Howard Sims in Te Ore Ore Rd, as he was delayed by a minor disaster with the fuel cap going AWOL on his Harley servi-car. This was the nearest thing to a break down on the rally, but it was decided that, technically, this happened BEFORE his rally started. We took SH52 to Pongaroa. This road is great for old motorbikes, being quiet, twisty and not too fast, with the extra challenges of gravel patches mid bend, unsigned roadworks/new seal and the dreaded “green slime” under trees. We had a coffee break in the Pongaroa pub, and then carried on to Dannevirke for lunch in the Stump Cafe. After lunch we paid a visit to a modern dairy farm, where we had a tour of the farm’s massive sheds used for sheltering the herd (rather than them live full time in paddocks), and also a car collection. This took up more time than we thought so we were a little late getting to the Post Office motel in Pahiatua. The usual frivolity went on in the motel bar, which was very busy, and we all sat down for
3
dinner together in the motel restaurant area. Later, we retired to the motel lounge and (courtesy of Willie James) the whisky bottle came out ....I suspect there were more than a few sore heads the next morning. There is an award given out to a deserving rider, and this year (after a “democratic” process) it went to Clive Somerville, who had travelled the 6hrs from Cambridge (somewhat inadvertently) to attend. During the walk back from the café where we had breakfast, it started to rain, and the sky was very dark in the direction we were heading later. The weather plus other factors caused 3 of our group to head directly back home but the remaining 10 had a quick meeting and decided to complete the planned route home, which was via Pongaroa and Eketahuna. The roads were wet and challenging so we all kept the speed down, and the wind at times was gale force, but we all made it to the pub in Eketahuna without getting too wet or cold. Whilst we were in the pub, getting refreshed, the rain started in earnest so I think everyone got wet on the last leg of the ride. This a great event and I look forward to next year’s. It would be good to see a few more local riders attend though. This year the locals were outnumbered by members from other VCC branches. - Simon Byrne
Bikes at the start.
Photo: Kevin Ball
4
Time for a team photo … contestants gather before the start.
Photo: Kevin Ball
Left: Peter and Christine Riddell rode a 1952 BSA Golden Flash Right: Angels of mercy … the Tail-end Charlie crew of Angela Henwood and Linda Wells. Photos Kevin Ball
Above: David Henwood rode a Honda XL 500, while wife Angela rode in the tail-end Charlie recovery vehicle. Right: Organiser Willie James prepares to set off on his 1972 BSA Lightning. Photos: Kevin Ball
5
Farm visit near Dannevirke
Photo: Simon Byrne
Bike line up at Pongaroa. Photos: Simon Byrne
Winner Clive Somerville receives the trophy from Willie James
6
Photo: Simon Byrne
Upcoming Rallies and Events Sunday June 13th is Winter Wander Day. Put your winter woollies on and come for a drive / ride.
We have a fairly full day of motoring, with 3 x interesting stops along the way. First stop is a vineyard tour, Then after lunch our second stop is the Kahautara Taxidermy museum, Followed by the Fell Engine Museum. A $10 per vehicle fee, payable on the morning is to help pay for our lunch stop hall hire and entry into the taxidermy museum. Bring your own lunch and drinks. Our afternoon Tea stop is the Fell Engine Museum. An entry fee of $6 per person, or if you would like a supplied afternoon tea of coffee / tea a scone with jam and cream it will be $12 (including the entry fee) Please advise your intention to participate in the afternoon tea as numbers are required for catering. Contact Simon O’Hara on 063708844, (Leave a message), or email, simonsandieohara@gmail.com Meet at the VCC Clubrooms at 9.30a.m. Cars away at 10.a.m. Sunday June 27th Mid-winter Xmas Lunch at the Clubrooms. Details to come Sunday July 11th Gravel Challenge. Organised by Francis Pointon. Details to come
7
Sunday July 25th Garage Raid organised by Kevin Ball Sunday 15th August Back of Beyond Rally. Organised by Chris Giles, details to come Sunday 22nd August Daffodil Day Run. Fundraiser organised by Val Ball, details to come.
Club Nights Monday June 14th 7.30pm at the Clubrooms Branch AGM and Awards Agenda and Committee Nomination Form is attached to this Newsletter, and also available on our Website Copies of all relevant documents will be made available at the meeting. Monday July 5th 7.30pm at the Clubrooms A presentation by Wellington Free Ambulance Monday August 2nd 7.30pm at the Clubrooms Games night with the WAI Machinery Club
Events Calendar for 2021 Your committee has prepared a calendar of all club events planned for the year. Copies were emailed out to everyone in February. However changes do happen, so the current version can be found on the our website Home Page: https://www.sporty.co.nz/wairarapavcc and printed copies will be available at Club nights
Welcome to New Members Recent new members: Simon Cartwright and Megan Barham Christine and Carl Gaudin, transferred from Bay of Plenty (Carl was a very early member of the Wairarapa Branch, and was Chairman in the early 70s, so it's a welcome return!)
8
A big welcome to you all, we look forward to you joining us in the various activities of the club. If you have not received a name badge please contact Mike D'Alton (mickyjdalton@yahoo.co.uk) to arrange this. The cost of the badge is $20 each.
Other Notices and Events Sunday June 6th Whanganui Annual Rally - Queens Birthday Weekend Contact Steve Hibberd 027 679 1140 wanganuirally@gmail.com Entry Form - Click Here Targa 2021: 5 Day Event: Sunday 24th October: Arrive to overnight in New Plymouth in preparation for a week of action & excitement! (Subject to finding a suitable venue we may have our usual VCC get together Sunday afternoon for our own meet & greet, scrutineering & RallySafe installation, but the Taranaki VCC clubrooms are out of town & don't have suitable parking. Otherwise we'll do it all on Monday, which may suit entrants travelling from afar, to arrive in New Plymouth later on Sunday). Labour Day Monday 25th October: Scrutineering, Doco & Event Briefing in New Plymouth. (Overnight New Plymouth). Tuesday 26th October: Day/Leg 1 - START, depart New Plymouth & return to overnight in New Plymouth; Wednesday 27th October: Day/Leg 2 - Depart New Plymouth & return to overnight in New Plymouth; Thursday 28th October: Day/Leg 3 - Depart New Plymouth to overnight in Palmerston North; Friday 29th October: Day/Leg 4 - Depart Palmerston North to overnight in Havelock North; Saturday 30th October: Day/Leg 5 - Depart Havelock North & return to FINISH, PRIZEGIVING & overnight in Havelock North. Sunday 31st October: Depart for home after a great week! Targa 2021: 2 Day Event (Last 2 Days of the 5 Day Event above): Thursday 28th October: Scrutineering, Doco & Event Briefing in Palmerston North. (Overnight Palmerston North). Friday 29th October: Day/Leg 4 - Depart Palmerston North to overnight in Havelock North; Saturday 30th October: Day/Leg 5 - Depart Havelock North & return to FINISH, PRIZEGIVING & overnight in Havelock North. Sunday 31st October: Depart for home after a great event! Contact Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@gmail.com 027 433 8772 Website: www.targa.nz
9
Bluebridge Specials for VCC Members Bluebridge is again offering special prices for VCC members. Details can be found on our website: Click Here
10
Market Place - Buy, Sell or Swap If you want to advertise something here, send an email to: editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Engineering, Welding, Lathe and Milling Work undertaken, specialising in vintage car, motorcycle, machinery repairs. Excellent discounted rates for VCC members Contact Brian Billing (VCC member) Ph 021 242 6240 email; billing.au@gmail.com
For Sale 1936 Morris 12, 4 cylinder. Body, paint and running gear in good condition Contact Ian Palmer 06 378 7892, Masterton. Wanted to Buy 1 or 2 20” wheels for 1930 Model A truck preferably including lock ring Contact Graham 027 444 1170 Parts for a 1929 Buick 6 Contact Marion McConachie, Otago Branch Secretary. email: bmmcconachie@xtra.co.nz
The Spare Parts Department is open on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 9.30am to 12 noon, and the first Tuesday in the month from 9am to 12 noon, or you can contact Frank Lipinski (06 379 7167) for a private appointment.
PLEASE NOTE To access other club newsletters go to www.vcc.org.nz. Scroll to ‘news from our branches”. Hard copies of newsletters are no longer mailed out.
Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Clubrooms: A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road, Clareville Postal Address: PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 Branch Website: www.sporty.co.nz/wairarapavcc Club Night: First Monday of the month (except January) and June (second Monday) at 7.30pm.
11
2020/21 Committee and Office Holders
Chairperson - Tina Goodin - tina.goodin@hotmail.com - 0204 109 9552 Secretary - Mike D'Alton - mickyjdalton@yahoo.co.uk - 021 137 2395 Treasurer - Graham Hodder - g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz - 06 308 9087 Club Captain - Hugh Hunter - j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz - 06 306 9847 Committee Val Ball - wtakevin@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 1236 Pat Dutton - betyjo29@gmail.com - 06 379 7918 Chris Giles - chris.giles64@gmail.co.nz - 021 433 995 Earl Goodin - tina.goodin@hotmail.com - 0204 062 4986 Willie James - jwilliej600@gmail.com - 06 372 4890 Simon O'Hara - simonsandieohara@gmail.com - 021 141 2332 Social Convener - Val Ball - wtakevin@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 1236 Custodian - Earl Goodin - tina.goodin@hotmail.com - 0204 062 4986 Beaded Wheels Scribe - Kevin Ball - wtakevin@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 1236 Librarian - Pat Dutton - betyjo29@gmail.com - 06 379 7918 Spares Frank Lipinski - 06 379 7167 Barry Wells - ljandbjwells@gmail.com - 06 377 1152 Jeff Percy - j.percy@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 4622 Vehicle Inspectors Francis Pointon - pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz - 06 378 6710 Graham Reidy - g-a.reidy@xtra.co.nz - 06 372 7855 Hugh Hunter - j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz - 06 306 9847 © 2021 Wairarapa Branch Vintage Car Club
12