SOME of the many cars on display as they travel from Bluff to Cape Reinga, calling in to Te Kūiti on their way on Thursday.
MORE than 30 hot rod and custom – mostly V8 – vehicles rumbled into Te Kūiti for a lunch stop on Thursday on their way to Cape Reinga. The ones towing caravans came all the way from Bluff. The others joined the Diamond Jubilee drive or left as it suited. NZ Hot Rod Association president Tony Robinson said the 60th anniversary diamond run from Bluff to Cape Reinga was going well. Two drivers had to replace vehicles. “One from Oamaru, one from Ashburton; they swapped cars, got their damaged ones home, and got another one,” he said. “Another broke a drive shaft in Nelson and he got another one made by some club members.” The cavalcade arrived in Te Kūiti from New Plymouth and was on its way to Taupō via Benneydale before visiting east coast clubs. From Gisborne the route would take them to Whakatane, Rotorua, Tauranga and Hamilton. “Then two days to get through Auckland,” Tony said. “We do a south Auckland half then the next day north Auckland up to Whangarei then Whangarei to the top – then wherever we go after that. “It’s our anniversary, well last year it was. So we thought what better way to try and get to as many clubs as we can and involve as many members as we can? It’s better than a couple of people having a whizz-up somewhere, isn’t it?” Lunch was hosted by Te Kūiti Rod & Custom Club and Kiwitown Cruisers. Club members brought some of their own vehicles to the meet at the former food town carpark.
