Monthly Newsletter of the Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand December 2021/January 2022
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Greetings from the Chair
This will be my last message for the year, a year which, I am sure you will agree has been a real rollercoaster only really equalled by 2020. Lockdowns, alert levels and now traffic lights! I think we have done very well to survive it. It has been a great end to 2021 – a most successful Gold Medal Rally that culminated in a very pleasant dinner at the Services Club in Masterton, a Club Night that was interesting and informative and another enjoyable meal last Sunday when more than 40 of us enjoyed our Christmas Lunch Party. It was disappointing that the Tui Motors Vintage Day was cancelled again due to Covid, but instead the Team has turned its attention to organising a bumper Rex Porter Rally for next year. So we will start the New Year with our usual fun Coastal Run and then in February the Remembrance Rally. All the details will be found later in this newsletter. We are looking forward to seeing your there. All that remains is for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year,
Happy motoring, - Tina Goodin
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Club Captain's Comments Well it is that time of the year again, and what a year it has been. I hope everyone has come through it ok. Despite everything, the Club has had an active and enjoyable year. Recently the Janice Groves Memorial Run was very successful, however we are going to have to practice our tug of war skills and give those Mauriceville kids a run for their money next year! We welcomed Tony Haycroft from the National Office to the December club night. Tony's task was to present the National Office position on the proposed logo change. Tony's presentation was heard respectfully, followed by some robust discussion about the proposal. It would be fair to say that not too many minds were changed. Perhaps the key meassage from Tony was that National Office cannot do anything without approval from members through the Executive, made up of branch delegates. There was general agreement that communication through these channels has not always been good. The Committee is working on a very full calendar for next year which should be ready to send out in January. As a Club we are keen to work with other car clubs to provide more events and activities for our members. Recent examples include the Wellington VCC Branch annual rally, and the Sunbeam Car Club Lake Ferry Run, see below for more on how these events went. I understand Peter Groves has not been well lately, and Nola has gone into care. I am sure we wish them both good health for the festive season. Indeed we wish all our members who have health issues all the best for the coming year. Have a happy and safe Christmas everyone. - Hugh Hunter
From the Club Secretary Film Extras Wanted In a previous issue of the magazine I mentioned that a film maker from Wellington was looking for some cars to appear in a late 70’s era film being shot in The Wairarapa. Having contacted the members involved, I have agreed with him to use several VCC members’ cars in specific roles. I thank those of you who have accepted car parts. He is also looking for a dozen or so extra cars to appear in crowd scenes in a car park. The first round of filming will be in Kahutara, South Wairarapa, on 7/8 of January. There wil be other opportunities during the week commencing 24th January, and sometime in February. There is an invitation for you to appear as extras at these times.
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Isaac is offering fuel expenses from Masterton, and $150 per day. Whilst this isn’t Steve McQueen money, you won’t be asked to recreate scenes from Bullet! I hope enough are you are tempted by the intrigue of having your classic appear on the big screen. Any cars built before 1978 will be eligible, after all there was plenty of older gear on Kiwi roads in those days! Please let me know by email, with dates, if you are available VIC Applications Some of you submitted ViC applications with the upcoming Vero Rally in mind, and were wondering when they were going to turn up. You will be pleased to know that the organisers have decided, due to the backlog, not to insist on certificates this year. - Mike D'Alton
Note from the Editor This newsletter is a combined December/January edition, with the next edition being the February one. The committee agreed that next year, the Zenith will be published in the second week of the month following each monthly committee meeting. This will help give club members earliest possible notice of decisions and information from committee meetings. On that basis, the February edition will be out by February 11th.
RECENT EVENTS Orienteering Run The merging of an athletic activity and a vintage car outing proved a huge success for the Wairarapa branch of the Vintage Car Club on Monday November 1st. Jim and Barbara Barr are both keen orienteers and Jim decided to try and merge the couple’s two interests with an evening run in place of the regular November club night. Fourteen cars and 20-odd people turned up at the Carterton square, and after a briefing, and armed with maps and instructions, they set off on a tour of Carterton. The response was extremely positive, with members keen to try it again. Jim, who got an ovation for bringing something new into club life, now plans to organise a full-scale version. The event was non-competitive, but top performances were recognised. Simon O’Hara, an orienteer, and his wife Sandie in a modern Honda, put in the top performance, followed by new members Pete and Nina Cummings in their huge and immaculate late-60s Plymouth Fury3 convertible. The evening ended with a sausage sizzle back at the clubrooms. - Kevin Ball
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Organiser Jim Barr and his wife Barbara
Success on debut ... Peter and Nina Cummings, who campaigned the Plymouth Fury
Willie James and Ian Stewart chose Willie's MG
Paul and Debbie Hodder in their Austin Healey
Wellington VCC Annual Rally The Wellington Branch held their Annual Rally in the Wairarapa on November 6th, with an invitation to Wairarapa members to participate. Seven Wairarapa cars joined the event with some success: Post Vintage: Francis Pointon 1st, Mike D'Alton 2nd. Post 60s: Richard Harvey 2nd, Shaun Leahy 3rd Pre rally line up at the Royal Hotel Featherston
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Gold Medal Motorcycle Trial Wellington-based Wairarapa member Norman Hill scooped the pool in a Gold Medal motorcycle trial run by the Wairarapa branch of the Vintage Car Club on Saturday. Norm, who reckons he’s been attending these events for up to 25 years “with mixed results but some successes,” was the overall winner of the Ken Bull Memorial Trophy, plus he took out the Post-60 class on his 1973 BMW R75/5 and collected one of three Gold Medals awarded. The rally, organised by Kevin Sutherland, took riders from the clubrooms at Clareville to Eketahuna and Pahiatua via back roads. The challenge was to navigate accurately and keep to pre-set average speeds. One rider, Ashley Blair, was caught out by a faulty speedo on his 1967 BSA Bantam Sport, which was 2mph slow and resulted in him coming home half an hour late. “Some got lost, but found their way again, nobody fell off and there were two retirements,” said a happy Kevin Sutherland after the event. There were 27 entrants, one of them, former Carterton man Neville Taylor (1956 AJS Model 30) having travelled from Matamata to compete. Results: Overall (Ken Bull Memorial Trophy): Norman Hill Post-60s: Norman Hill Post Vintage: Adrian Macnee (1941 Indian 741). Post-War: Simon Byrne (1949 BSA B31). Classic: Dave Palmer (Triumph 650). Medal winners: Gold: Normal Hill, Michael D’Alton (1969 BSA B44), Dave Hitchins (1969 Commander). Silver: Aaron James (1950 BSA A10), Graham Reidy (1970 Triumph Bonneville). Bronze: Simon Byrne, Barry Wells (1973 BMW R50/5). - Kevin Ball
Norman Hill (73 BMW), winner of the Ken Bull Memorial Trophy Norm, a Wellington-based Wairarapa member, has been riding in Gold Medal trials for about 25 years, he reckons.
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Branch Chair Tina Goodin presents trophies to Simon Byrne (left) Post War winner, and to Dave Palmer, Classic class winner.
Relax animal welfarists!!! There's nothing little Cinders enjoys more than going for a ride with
Mick Lockyer with a rare beast, a 1947 Sunbeam
Dad, Dave Henwood
A pair of Harley-Davidson extremes
Ready for the off ... bikers prepare for the start of the Gold Medal trial
Janice Groves Trophy The annual run to Mauriceville was almost cancelled due to Covid etc, but when we learned that the local community were going to have a fun day anyway the branch wrangled an invitation to come out and play.
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And play we did. The Mauriceville community welcomed us with open arms, provided drinks and food and thrashed us at tug-of-war. Next year we might have to do some training! The day was a great success, with 14 cars attending. The run incorporated the Janice Groves Trophy competion which was won by Liz and Phil Brown in their Daimler - Kevin Ball
Classics in the paddock at Mauriceville
Winners of the Janice Groves Trophy Phil and Liz
Francis and Gaye Pointon head home in the
Brown - Liz also won the Navigators Spoon
Essex coupe
They tried and tried ....
But our men were no match for the Mauriceville kids at tug-of-war.
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Sunbeam Car Club Run to Lake Ferry An astonishing 50-plus cars turned out for the annual Lake Ferry run organised by the Sunbeam club on Sunday Dec 11th. From a hot rod to a Rolls Royce and everything in between they gathered at the Fell engine museum in Featherston ready for the run to a fish 'n chips lunch at the Ferry. There were a good number of Wairarapa branch members in attendance. Branch BW Scribe Kevin Ball turned up as usual to record proceedings, only to suffer a camera malfunction. Thankfully young camera and vintage car enthusiast, nine year old Edward Odell was on hand with his Dad, Brendan and provided the attached photo. Thank you Edward. - Kevin Ball
Just a few of the cars at Lake Ferry, the Odell DKW in the foreground Photos: Edward Odell
Upcoming Club Rallies and Events 9
Sunday 9th January 2022 Coastal Run Our annual run to the seaside will start from the Clubrooms. Be there about 10am for a 10.30 departure. BYO food and drinks and picnic gear, there are no cafes (or any services) at the destination There is no gravel on the route, except the last couple of hundred metres. Saturday 29th January Rally Skills Workshop To be confirmed depending on level of interest This would involving learning rally navigation skills such as straight line navigation and tulip diagrams, and would also cover pointers in organising rallies. It would be followed by a short run to put the learnings into practice If interested email Chris: chris.giles64@gmail.com Sunday 13th February Remembrance Run Details to come Saturday 5th March Stretched Gymkhana Details to come Saturday 12th March Rex Porter Rally The return of our premier event This will be a full day’s competitive running for cars and bikes of about 150 miles in North Wairarapa’s picturesque countryside. There will be some gravel, but also a non competitive ‘seal only’ touring route. Competition and prizes in all classes, starting at the Clareville Clubrooms and finishing in the Masterton area. There will be an awards dinner afterwards, and a car meet and brunch will be available on the Sunday morning. More details and entry form on our website shortly: , or contact rally organiser chris,giles64@gmail.com
Club Nights
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Monday February 7th 2022 Club Night will be replaced by a casually competitive afternoon rally, finishing with high tea at a local venue in Masterton. The aim is to make this an enjoyable end to the weekend, as it may have stopped raining by then. PS High Tea, for those of you unfamiliar with the expression, is a substantial meal which happens to be served at tea time. Monday March 7th Details to come Monday April 4th Details to come
Events Calendar for 2022 Your committee is currently preparing a calendar of all club events planned for the coming year. Copies will be emailed out to everyone in February. Printed copies will be available at Club nights
Welcome to New Members Recent new members: Simon Latif Kevin Leydon A big welcome to you, 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
5 - 6th February 2022 Wheels at Wairarapa The Wairarapa A&P Society and the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club are hosting a three day inter active display at the Clareville Show Grounds over the three days of Waitangi Weekend in February 2022 There will be static displays, machinery demonstration’s, truck rides and many other activities including children’s entertainment
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Each one of the three days will have a theme related to the exhibitors. Saturday 5th February will for Cars and Motorcycles Sunday 6th February will for Trucks Monday 7th February will be for Agriculture, Steam Engines and Tractors While there are days designated to the categories, the aim of the weekend is to have as many as possible of all participants on all three days Hugh Hunter and I are looking after the cars and motorcycles and are asking for support from all of the various car and motorcycle clubs in the lower North Island to make this a success We will need helpers and participants on the Saturday to be involved in the various activities planned for the public. They will take place over three hours during the middle of the day in the show grounds oval. For more information, please go to www.wheelsatwairarapa.co.nz. or you can contact me at:- g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz You can download a registration form from the Wheels at Wairarapa site or the club’s website Entry is free for two adults per car/ motorcycle with addition passengers paying to enter. The entry Fees are :Aged 5 to 15 is $5.00, Aged 15 and above is $15.00 Family Day Pass is $40 A donation will be made from the proceeds generated from this event to the Life Flight Trust and Eli Honeysett. We look forward to your support - Graham Hodder
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16th - 20th February Hawkes Bay VCC Art Deco Rally Featured marque will be early Ford V8 1932 - 45 Contact 027 217 7790 artdecorally@gmail.com
24th- 26th February The Sunbeam Car Club is returning to Wairarapa their AGM. Their base will again be the Solway Hotel on SH2 in Masterton, using the hotel as a base and going off to do events on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the AGM.
Saturday 19th March Horowhenua VCC Swap Meet Levin Showgrounds Events Centre, 14 Tiro Tiro Road, Levin Enquiries Ivan Horn: 021 108 7142 henrya@xtra.co.nz
THE CITROEN TRACTION AVANT REGISTER IS NOW ONLINE The NZ Citroen car club's website is now being used to help record ( potentially all ) of the Super modern 12s and Light 15 vehicles that remain in New Zealand today. Whether they are restored, driveable, under restoration, donor cars only suitable for spares or just a pile of parts, there's a place for them on the register. All models and body styles are included in the register and members and non members alike are urged to record the details of their car/s by clicking here The Citroën Car Club of New Zealand Inc (cccnz.club) and clicking "traction Register Launched" on the right hand side of the home page, then just follow the prompts. "There is no need to log in" on the website and all
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owners have a choice as to whether they will allow their details to be shared with other owners, or want their personal details to remain private and their vehicle details used for statistical information only. The advantages of registering are numerous but being able to tap into the pool of knowledge of people with a similar model to yours, or being able to find or supply a part that keeps another car running are two good reasons for a start. If you know of someone with a traction who isn't a member, you're most welcome to email me their details and I'll contact them personally. So far there are sixty something tractions recorded on the register. I think there could be as many as 400 more. If you need help or wish to contact me regarding the register, my email address is; mistert.nz@xtra.co.nz Graham Tulett Traction Avant register administrator VCC member Canterbury Branch
Offers to Members Bluebridge and Interislander Specials Both Bluebridge and Interislander are offering special prices for VCC members. Details can be found on our website: Click Here
Classic Tyres Hamilton based Tyreline can provide access to a full range of Michelin tyres More information and catalogue on our website Click Here
The Nitro Store Hi Doug Bell here from The Hot Rod Show on Sky TV. February 1, 2022, I am launching my ecommerce site – The Nitro Store - selling many of the top automotive consumer goods brands. Club members, families and friends can receive discounts up to 40% on every sale with up to a further 10% being given to their respective club. Regards Doug Bell
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Market Place - Buy, Sell or Swap If you want to advertise something here, send an email to: editorwaivcc@gmail.com FOR SALE
1925 Dodge Tourer owned since 1993, restored by previous owners. The car is in good condition. Restored about 30 years ago. Recent engine work, near new tyres, new brakes and radiator. 12 volt electrics. Rear wheel brakes. all steel body. Been on VCC rallies and Napier Art Deco. $28,000.00 or near offer. Car in Greytown Tel Shaun 0276004960 or email mcgreevyleahy@xtra.co.nz 1936 Morris 12,4 cylinder. Body, paint and running gear in good condition Contact Ian Palmer 06 378 7892, Masterton. 1952 Daimler Consort Complete but in need of restoration Minimal rust. $2800 ono Contact Dave Patten 027 247 7956
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. NB: From January 2022, the Parts Department will open on the 3rd Saturday of the ,month. This is to allow Parts team members to participate in Sunday rallys
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.
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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. Spare Parts: Open each Tuesday morning following club night and the 3rd Sunday in the month 9.30am -12 noon. Committee meet: Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm
2021/22 Committee and Office Holders Chairperson: Tina Goodin - 020 410 99552, tina.goodin@hotmail.com Secretary: Mike D’Alton - 021 137 2395, secretarywvcc@yahoo.com Treasurer & Vice Chair: Graham Hodder - 06 308 9087 027 226 3738, g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz Club Captain: Hugh Hunter - 06 306 9847, j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz Publications: Chris Giles - 021 433 995, chris.giles64@gmail.co.nz Social Convenor: Val Ball - 06 377 1236, wtakevin@xtra.co.nz Librarian: Pat Dutton - 06 379 7918, betyjo29@gmail.com Spares: Frank Lipinski - 06 379 7167 Custodian: Earl Goodin - 0204 062 4986, tina.goodin@hotmail.com Motorcycle Liaison: Kevin Sullivan - 022 377 8443, kevsully52@gmail.com Dave Patten - 06 306 9006, dave.patten28@gmail.co Beaded Wheels Scribe - Kevin Ball - wtakevin@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 1236 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
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