I have had a dream run with Olive over the last two years, although that came to an end over the past few weeks when my non-mechanical brain diagnosed the engine as having a few hiccups—especially under power going uphill or cruising at higher revs. It didn’t detract from a wonderful day taking part in the gravel challenge, and I especially enjoyed the pizza and a glass of wine at Colombo.
The fuel lines have been cleaned out, carburettor dismantled and cleared , timing checked, and the distributor cap removed and cleaned. We then noticed a leaking exhaust gasket, which has now been ordered and will be fitted on Monday.
It was good to see the CPR skills demonstrated at last month’s fish and chip evening. I look forward to seeing you next Monday at the annual Wairarapa Machine Club quiz.
Enjoy, and keep warm.
Dennis
Quiz night with Vintage Machinery Club
Club Night 7th September
Winter has certainly hit us with a vengeance. I can’t recall ever having so many heavy frosts in one winter let alone in one month. Mind you I don’t mind a bit of a chilly morning if it’s followed by the bright sunny days we’ve had in the last week.
The weather was certainly kind to us for the Gravel Challenge. Not a lot of gravel and perhaps not too challenging but none the less a good drive over roads that many of us had not been on before followed by a nice lunch at a well chosen venue. The 21 members plus guests who participated all appeared to enjoy themselves.
Last weekend we hosted the Horowhenua Branch for a tour of our parts shed. We had a good turnout from both Horowhenua and our Branch for what turned out to be a fruitful exercise.
The Horowhenua team suggested that we make it an annual event with the two branches visiting each other in alternate years. A good suggestion that I think we should take up.
Thanks to the parts team for opening up, to Hugh Hunter for organising the visit and to Simon and Sandy O’Hara for helping out on the day and for providing the delicious scones.
It’s pleasing to see a steady stream of new members joining the Branch. This month we welcome Tom Wyeth who has an interesting car collection including a Honda City which must be one of very few still on the road. Welcome Tom.
Planning is well advanced for the Daffodil Day Car Show to be held once again at the Masterton Motorplex on Sunday 23rd August. We had a good turnout last year and raised a record amount for the local Cancer Society. We’re wanting beat last years effort so I hope to see you all at the Motorplex on the 23rd. You can enter online via our website waivcc.nz.
We had a couple of requests for cars to take young ladies to their school balls in August. In particular Val Ball has asked if someone with an open car can take her granddaughter to the Wairarapa College ball on the 22nd of August. Val worked hard for the Branch during her many years on the committee so bearing that in mind I hope someone can find the time to respond to her request.
On Monday 3rd August we have the annual quiz night with the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club.
The tractor drivers are setting the questions this year so we’ll have to be on our mettle if we are to acquit ourselves well.
I hope to see a good crowd there.
Kevin Sullivan
Fish and Chips and CPR - Clubnight July
10th Matariki
Tuesday 14th Committee Meeting
Sunday 19th Gravel Challenge DP
Sunday 26th Horowhenua Branch Parts Visit
August 2026
Monday 3rd Club Night
Tuesday 11th Committee Meeting
Fri. 14 – Sat. 15th
Sunday 23rd
September 2026
National A.G.M & Executive Meeting
Daffodil Run
Monday 7th Club Night
Tuesday 8th Committee Meeting
Sunday 13th Spring Rally
Fri 18th to Mon 21st Wellington Club – Hawera Run
Sunday 27th Distinguished Gentlemen’s Drive
October 2026
Saturday 3rd Tin Can Rally
We will be providing a B.B.Q luncheon for our visitors. All club members are invited to attend. They will arrive approximately 11.00 am
SOH/PD Quiz Night with Vintage Machinery Club
Manawatu Branch
KS/GH
Masterton MotorPlex again with the same format as last year. More info to come.
DE/PD A film evening will be the attraction. Come along and enjoy the excitement.
DE/PD David Eade with a support person
Arrive in Hawera on Fri 18th – accommodation at the Tudor Lodge Motel 158 Waihi Rd. Departing Mon 21st Sept. For more information contact Alastair McCarthy – mccarthys@xtra.co.nz
Registrations open on the 1st of July Assemble at the White Swan, Greytown at 9.30 am A Fundraiser for Men’s Health
SOH
Monday 5th Club Night Car is the Star
Tuesday 13th Committee Meeting
Monday 26th Labour Day
Sat 31st Oct. –
Su. 1st Nov.
Upcoming
Events
Wairarapa A & P Show Clareville
TBC Bygone era of wings and wheels.
TBC Bus trip to visit museums in Maymon, Porirua with a meal at the Cossie Club on the way home.
27 Feb 2027
Confirmed
Organiser is Wellington Festival
GH/BC/KS Cost and travel times to be advised
Stretched Gymkhana 2027 SOH Solway Showgrounds
6th/7th March 27 Citroen Club
The Citroen Club Rally being held in Wairarapa
Gravel Challenge
Thirteen club vehicles and 21 members took part in this year’s Annual Gravel Challenge, organised by Dave Patten. The line-up was an impressive one, with a wide range of vehicles on display, including three Series 1 Land Rovers.
On a beautiful Wairarapa day, members assembled at the clubrooms before setting off on a relaxed “tiki tour” through South Wairarapa, finishing at Hau Nui wind farm lookout.
There was time for the obligatory group photo with the wind turbines in the background before the convoy made its way back to Martinborough.
The day ended with lunch at Colombo, where members enjoyed pizzas and a glass of Pinot Gris for myself, before the Chairman announced the dyas winners: Mark Orange and Kirsty Loveday in their 1967 Triumph Herald.
Wairarapa Vintage Car Club
Event Gravel Challenge 2026
Thanks Dave, a lot fun and great turnout
Organiser David Patten
Tail End Charlie
The vehicles and participants were.
Marshalls
David Hunter
Bruce Lambert
Paul Ferkert
Denis Rose
Pat Dutton
David Eade
Hugh & Matthew Hunter
Kevin Sullivan
Simon & Linda Bognuda
Land Rover
Morris Minor
Land Rover
Gary Graham Honda CL175 M/C
Darryl Longstaffe
Dennis Burns
Plymouth
Land Rover
Lindsay Durrant Peugeot 404
Mark Orange & Kirsty Loveday
Graham Hodder
Triumph Hearld
Dodge
John & Rae Kennedy 1905 Rolls Royce
Ryan Dewes & Sam Millar
Rolls Royce
Winners of the 2006 Gravel Challenge
CENTRAL HAWKES BAY & MANAWATU BRANCHES
VINTAGE RALLY (open to Pre-1932 vehicles)
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2026
ENTRY FORM
FORMAT -
10.00 am Meet at Tui Brewery (Tui HQ), 5 Mara Street, Mangatainoka, Pahiatua 10 15 am Rally Briefing 10 30 am First car away
● Run length is approximately 95 miles (30 miles of gravel)
● Fuel is NOT AVAILABLE on route
● Bring your own picnic lunch
● Rally Entry Fee includes a Plaque
● Run will conclude at the Mangatera Hotel, 391 High Street, Dannevirke
ENTRANT NAME
VCC MEMBERSHIP NO :
NAVIGATOR: NAME
PASSENGER: NAME
TELEPHONE ( ) EMAIL
ADDRESS
VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR
EXPIRY DATE:
VEHICLE REGO. NO.
RALLY ENTRY @ $20 / PER VEHICLE = TOTAL =
SATURDAY NIGHT - For those interested, we will book a table at Murray’s Irish Bar in Feilding for Dinner (6 30 pm) PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND AND NUMBERS SO WE CAN CONFIRM A BOOKING. YES / NO
PAYMENT DETAILS: Please make payment via Internet Banking. ALL Prices include GST. Manawatu Branch VCC - GST NO 097-216-193 Account Name: THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND MANAWATU BRANCH INCORPORATED Account Details: 03 0718 0027253 001 Ref: Name, Reg No.
Please send completed Entry Form to Organisers: Glyn and Cath Clements, PO Box 232, Feilding 4740 Or email to cathyclements5@gmail.com Glyn: 021 0833 4081 If you haven’t received an email confirmation of entry by the closing date, please contact the Organiser **ENTRIES CLOSE 31ST AUGUST 2026**
SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
MOUNT COOK RALLY
26th-28th Sept 2026
ENTRIES CLOSE – and are to be returned to Ross Hamiltonscvccclubcaptain@gmail.com 0212407137 by 30Th Aug 2026
These are available online at the Clubs events page or from Ross Hamilton
No Late Entries will be accepted
• The standard club disclaimer applies and all entrants enter at their own risk.
• Membership cards must be produced on request
• No road closures are implied or in force
• This event is organised the South Canterbury Branch of the VCC. Any disputes, protests or other matters will be arbitrated by the organisers and their de cision will be final
ACCOMMODATION: is the responsibility of the entrants. There may be other events on in Twizel so it would pay to book early.
SATURDAY: Please be at the South Canterbury Clubrooms for morning tea 9.30 first car away at 10.30.
Rally to Twizel on your selected route
Time trial is on the first day
Please take a picnic as there are many spots on the way to stop and there are also numerous eating places to purchase food along the way.
Evening Meal and Breakfast – please organise yourself
SUNDAY: Field Tests will be held on the grassed area outside the Chalet Motels at 10am.
Travel to Mount Cook at your leisure and on arrival follow marshals’ instructions.
Awards dinner will be held at the Distinction MacKenzie Country Hotel. Meeting at 6.00 for drinks followed by the meal at 7.00. There is a Guest speaker at the dinner
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON RALLY:
TIN CAN RALLY
DRIVE YOUR TIN CAN
BRING A TIN CAN
On Saturday October 3rd the TIN CAN RALLY will be held to support the Food Bank. Jump in your tin can (Car), and bring along a can (or cans) of food which will be donated to the food bank after the rally. The rally will start at the Masterton Railway station and traverse some northern roads, with a BYO lunch stop at a country hall. More information to follow.
This rally replaces this years Rex Porter Rally
Horewhenua VCC visit
Our branch recently enjoyed a visit from members of the Horowhenua VCC, who came to look through our parts collection and spend some time with us.
Several visitors went home with useful finds, and the day was made even more enjoyable with a barbecue, tea and coffee, and plenty of friendly conversation between the two clubs.
The Horowhenua members also invited our branch to make a return visit to their club rooms, which would be a great way to continue the connection.
It was also good to meet Callum Farmer, one of their parts people and grandson of Dick Manghan, who was a very active member of our club and contributed greatly to the development of our club rooms.
Many thanks to everyone who helped make Sunday such an enjoyable and successful day.
Thanks, Hugh
Hugh Hunter
Vintage Car Club of NZ Exclusive Discounted Bluebridge Ferry Fares
Promo code: ANTIQUECAR
*Peak Fares apply for travel on 15 December 202 6 to 31 January 202 7 and Easter weekend 2 5 to 30 March 202 7
Terms and Conditions:
• These discounted Fares are exclusively for Vintage Car Club of NZ members and are valid for bookings and travel from 1 November 202 6 through 31 October 202 7
• The member discount is applicable when the promo code ANTIQUECAR is used at the time of booking, either by entering it online in the promo code box, or by quoting the promo code to contact centre staff. The code can’t be applied after a booking is made.
• The se discounted Fares apply to bookings made directly with Bluebridge, through the passenger website www.bluebridge.co.nz , via the Bluebridge Passenger Contact Centre, or at the Bluebridge Passenger Terminals. It is not applicable to STRAITNZ Bluebridge freight bookings or bookings made by third par ti es (affiliated Bluebridge resellers).
• Standard Flexi Fare conditions apply. Bookings can be amended and/or cancelled right up until 1 hour prior to sailing without any fees or penalties. All other Fare and standard Bluebridge Terms and Conditions apply
• Discounted member Fares are eligible for booki ngs that include a minimum of one Vintage Car Club of NZ cardholder, a maximum of six passengers per booking.
• Members must present their Vintage Car Club of NZ membership ID card when they check - in as proof of en ti tlement. If not presented, the standard public Retail Fares will apply.
• Discounted pricing a ppl ies to F ares only. Op ti onal extras, such as cabins, excess baggage and food, are charged at standard r etail prices.
• The discount ed Fares are not available in conjunc ti on with any other offer.
• Fares are always subject to availability at the ti me of booking.
• Payment must be made when booking via the following payment methods; Poli (bank transfer), debit/credit card and/or A ft erpay.
• Bluebridge reserves the right to review these terms and condi ti ons from ti me to ti me. The Club President will be no ti fied of any changes and the changes will apply to any new or amended bookings made a ft er the date of no ti fica ti on.
One for the Navigators
(and drivers), A Guide to Straight Line Navigation
Herringbones, or Straight Lines as they are sometimes called, are a very simple method of defining a rally route, once you understand how they work.
A herringbone is simply a line representing the route that you are expected to follow, with all the roads at junctions etc. shown as the 'bones' sticking out of the side, looking typically like a cartoon fish skeleton. It is a good thing to remember that the route is the backbone, and all the roads that you pass and miss are the ones on the sides.
A simple Herringbone is a straight line, with a ball at one end, and an arrow at the other. Start at the ball (which is usually where you are sitting in the car at a control) and go to the arrow. See illustration below:
Frequently you will find the above diagram vertical, so starting at the bottom from the ball.
The route that you take is then a straight line, missing roads on the left and right accordingly. The way to convert the Straight Line to a route you are taking is to treat each intersection along the way. The instructions to the driver are “leave one on the Left ”, Or “Leave one on the Right” etc.
Practical Test, “Example”.
Time to test out your newly acquired knowledge. Just keep trying until you "get it" and you will be an unstoppable Straight Line Expert at the next run!
Below are two Straight Lines and a Map with the start (red dot) and end (arrow) marked.
The two example Straight Lines shown above will take you from the start to finish on the map via different routes. Give it a few tries until you can figure out that both routes work.
In the first example, the instructions to the driver would read, Leave one on the right, Leave one on the left, Leave one on the right, leave one on the left and one on the right and lastly leave one on the left.
See below for further examples.
Hope this helps.
Simon O’Hara
Our Information
Clubrooms:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road,Clareville
Postal Address: PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 Branch
Website: https://waivcc.nz/
Club Night:
First Monday of the month (except January) and June (second Monday) at 7pm.
Committee meet:
Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm
Parts Department:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road, Clareville
Join Frank, Graham and Jeff for yarn and a cuppa when the Parts Department is open.
In this treasure trove, you might also happen to find any bits and pieces you’ve been looking for.
Located at the clubrooms, the Parts Department is open:
• First Tuesday morning of the Month.
• The 3rd Saturday of the Month from 9:30am - 12noon.
You can also contact Frank for an appointment outside standard opening hours by phoning (06) 379 7167
Neville with his MG
Contacts
Chairperson Kevin Sullivan
022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Secretary Shaun Leahy wairarapa@vcc.org.nz
Treasurer Graham Hodder 027 226 3738 g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz
Club Captain Hugh Hunter 027 665 9911 j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz
Committee
Pat Dutton
027 711 2735 betyjo29@gmail.com
Simon O’Hara 021 141 2332 simonsandieohara@gmail.com
Frank Lipinski 06 379 7167
David Eade 021 227 7338
Bob Cumming
Custodian
Zenith Editor Dennis Burns 021 428 547 editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Website Administrator AJ Hunter
Beaded Wheels Scribe David Eade 021 227 7338 davethehandyman11@gmail.com
Librarian Pat Dutton betyjo29@gmail.com
Motorcycle Liaison
Spares
Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Vehicle Inspectors
Frank Lipinski
06 379 7167
Graham Reidy 06 372 7855 g-a.reidy@xtra.co.nz
Jeff Percy 06 377 4622 j.percy@xtra.co.nz
Dave Walker 06 379 5008
Francis Pointon 06 378 6710 pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz
