Monthly Newsletter of the Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand May 2022
Greetings from the Chair This will be my last ‘Chair Message’ as we have our AGM next month and I have occupied this seat at the committee table for three years now. It is time to pass the baton on to someone else. With this edition of the newsletter you will find a copy of the committee nomination form and also an outline of the commitment involved in each role. Please have a read and if any task appeals to you, or for which you feel you have the expertise, give it a go. Being a member of the committee will give you a different insight into the Vintage Car Club. It so often happens in clubs that a committee becomes entrenched with the same people swapping roles. New people coming in feel that they should not ‘push in’ or that they will be judged in some way, when they might be exactly the right person needed. We have had several people in the past who have joined the club and just a few months later found themselves sitting at the committee table or helping with the running of the club. Don’t hide your light but help to guide the club into the future.
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Having said all that, the present committee have worked hard to bring you an interesting year of motoring, some of which is still to come. We have planned social events too, the next one being the Mid-Winter Christmas Lunch at which we will host some very special people and presentations will be made. The details are further on in this newsletter. I am looking forward to seeing you at the AGM. Tina
RECENT EVENTS Joining the Wellington Branch run to Pahaoa
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On Sunday 24th April about 25 cars and bikes from Wellington and The Wairarapa, and of all ages, met up in Featherston for a trip to Pahaoa Station on the Wairarapa's east coast. This stretch of the world can be wild wet and windswept, but for us the weather was all that you could wish for, as shown by these photos. I knew the road as far as Martinborough, but after that it was an exploration, mostly on gravel, through wonderful countryside beside a beautiful river estuary to our lunch stop. Fortunately we were well down the field, and the mountain bikers who we met on a blind hairpin had by then become used to meeting all these old ladies.
After lunch we decided to do some exploring, and took a right turn at Hinukara Hall to take the 36km detour over two 2000 foot high saddles to Admiral’s Hill and Gladstone. This was a stunning piece of road, no traffic, just the odd gate to open and close. My copilot thought we might be lost, but there was nowhere to turn off! How lucky we are to be driving in New Zealand!= - Mike D'Alton
May Club Night The small number of members who attended the May club night were treated to a wonderful talk by Kevin Clark, architect and musician, about his 1964 journey from
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London to Baghdad and back, aboard a 1958 Matchless motorcycle and cargo sidecar The talk, accompanied by a presentation of excellent photographs and Kevin's own cartoon drawings, described the often hairraising trip with another young graduate architect across Europe and the Middle East. They covered 31,000 kilometers through 19 countries, without mobile phones, GPS or even maps in some cases. Kevin has written a well illustrated book "Baghdad or Bust" based on his diaries of the trip, which can be ordered for $30. Contact the author kevin.clark@xtra.co.nz
Winter Motorcycle Reliability Trial On Saturday the 7th of May, 9 riders and one pillion passenger set off under clear skies on the annual motorcycle reliability trial. The route took us north through Mauriceville and Alfredton to Pahiatua and then through Ballance to Woodville and our lunch stop. After a lunch we took the backroads west of SH2 to the farmlands south of Dannevirke where we visited a splendid collection of vehicles and memorabilia. The collection included Kenworth trucks and Indian and Harley Davidson Motorcycles and a replica steam motorcycle. A highlight was a nitro-methane fuelled drag bike that the family owners run at the Masterton drag strip.
Big trucks 'n' tough bikers!!
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.We then continued on to Dannevirke and after a fuel stop took the Weber road and Route
52 to Wimbledon and then on to Herbertville for our overnight stop. The Herbertville Inn was a welcome sight after the trials of Route 52 which has suffered from the combined assaults from logging trucks and the weather. We spent a pleasant evening with good food and friendly locals relaxing after a day of duck shooting and the Inn proved to have comfortable if basic accommodation. On Sunday morning after a decent breakfast we set out to traverse Akitio Station. After a few kilometers Trevor Barnes decided that the road was not a good match for his Suzuki sidecar combination and turned back to take the sealed road with the intention of meeting up with us in Pongaroa. Once we found the entrance to Akitio Station, which was itself a challenge, we were treated to magnificent views up and down the coast, although riders had little time to take them in as the wind had got up and the shingle road required concentration. Views from the top
With cell phone reception restored we heard from Trevor that a universal joint on his shaft drive Suzuki had failed and that he needed to be rescued. It was a toss up between the rally support vehicle and the AA. The AA won and took Trevor back to Wellington in comfort.
From Akitio we headed for Pongaroa and a brief refreshment and petrol stop ,then back on Route 52 to Masterton for the conclusion of the event. Apart from Trevor's misfortune the other competitors completed the event unscathed and in good spirits - Kevin Sullivan Ice cream break at Akitio out of the wind
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The winner's trophy was awarded to Ian Munro riding a 1953 AJS Model 18.
Upcoming Club Rallies and Events Club Outings & Rallies. Wednesday 25th May Mid week social run Meet from 10am at the Clubrooms for a 10.30 departure Lunch can be bought at the town where we are going, or people can bring their own lunch. The run will take about one hour and is South Wairarapa BUT not Featherston. Maybe a good idea to bring chairs. The location will be reviewed if the weather is not good. Sunday 12th June Winter Wander Meet at the Clubrooms from 10am Bring own lunch and chairs. There is a toilet at the lunch stop
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Sunday 26th June The Midwinter Lunch will be held at Dish Restaurant, First Street, Lansdowne, Masterton. During the event we will be celebrating Barry Way’s 50th anniversary, and our National President Diane Quarrie will be attending in order to present Barry with the award. As those of you who took part in the Waitangi Run on 6th February will know, Dish can be relied on to provide some excellent food and hospitality. Tickets are excellent value at $30 per head, payable to the club. Numbers please to Mike D’Alton by 11th June, don’t delay as numbers are limited at this venue. Kick off is 1300, 1 o’clock in the afternoon. secretarywvcc@yahoo.com 021 137 2395 Sunday 10th July Gravel Challenge Organised by Willie James Details to come Sunday 21st August Daffodil Rally for Cancer Details to come
Club Nights Monday 13th June Club AGM 7pm at the Clubrooms An Agenda will be available closer to the date Committee Nomination Form attached to this email, or can be downloaded from our website HERE Monday 4th July 7pm at the Clubrooms Details to come Monday 1st August 7pm at the Clubrooms
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Events Calendar for 2022 Your committee has prepared a calendar of all club events planned for the coming year. As things sometimes change, the most up to date version can be downloaded from the club website here Printed copies will be available at Club nights
Welcome to New Members Recent new members: Bill Sergent Darryl Longstaff, transfer from Wellington Branch 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 Events
Wanganui Branch Annual Rally Sunday 5th June of Queen Birthday weekend. Closing date for entries is Monday 23 May Entry form on our website HERE
Wellsford Warkworth Branch - Winter Woolies Wander Sat/Sun July 2nd/3rd Entry form HERE
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National Motorcycle Rally 3 February - 6 February 2023 Hosted by the Southland Branch Details: https://www.sporty.co.nz/nationalmotorcyclerally
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
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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
From the Jaguar Drivers Club, a new book "Classic Jaguars in New Zealand’ The book is a not-for-profit project and is published by a charitable trust. All involved are volunteers.
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For Rent - Secure Storage Shed Space
Indoor or outdoor storage.
Long or short term rental available.
Discounts for long term and VCC members.
Access flexible and by arrangement.
Car, boat, caravan, campervan, farm machinery, etc. No household goods.
Have a look at Trade Me Listing #3332441379 for indicative prices. Phone Paul on 021-252-0409 with any queries.
The Wairarapa Branch Spare Parts Shed is open on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9.30am to 12 noon, and the first Tuesday in the month from 9am to 12 noon, Come down to the clubrooms, join Frank, Barry and Jeff for yarn and a cuppa. You might also find the bit you have been looking for. You can also contact Frank for an appointment outside these hours: 06 379 7167
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
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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 © 2022 Wairarapa Branch Vintage Car Club
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