Rear Wheel Brake Rally

Words and photos Mike Milne

At Halswell Domain 17 cars meet for the start of the rally on a sunny autumn day. The drivers’ briefing was short, and the rally rules were explained, only turn left. This was the law for the day, in history there have been some interesting laws made.

In the United Kingdom, there was a policy requiring self-propelled vehicles to be led by a pedestrian waving a red flag or carrying a lantern to warn bystanders of the vehicle›s approach. In particular The Locomotive Act 1865, also known as Red Flag Act. In the United States, the state of Vermont passed a similar Red Flag Law in 1894, only to repeal it two years later. The law required all motorists piloting their “horseless carriages”, upon chance encounters with cattle or livestock to: 1 immediately stop the vehicle, 2 “immediately and as rapidly as possible ... disassemble the automobile”, and 3 conceal the various components out of sight, behind nearby bushes» until equestrian or livestock is sufficiently pacified. … and we think we live in crazy times! Cars left the domain, turning left with the route taking cars through Halswell, Lincoln onto Waterholes Road crossing over the new overbridge before heading towards West Melton and finally ending up at Cutler Park for lunch.

There was a great spread of vehicles and brands with only a couple of minor technical issues to deal with, A dyslexic Model T and a Morris with a fuel problem. The rally was approximately 45miles with the long run being abandoned due to the extensive road works that had popped up after the planning had been done. All entrants were allowed to turn left and right on the way home. Thanks to all that entered.

25, 35, 50, 60 and 70 year badge history

Wellington Branch had produced a badge suitable for presentation to members of their branch who had completed 25 years continuous membership of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and in August 1992 the Executive of the Club voted to make this a National Award.

In November 1992, Brian Goodman offered to organise the system for the Canterbury Branch and the Branch Committee appointed him as Badge Co-ordinator, a position he held until June 1997 when he retired from the position and I was appointed.

Badges are presented at our Branch Annual Dinner.

25-year badge

(266 Canterbury Branch presentations to date.)

Applications for (continuous membership) are made on a form available from me, either at a Noggin or give me a telephone call (342 9110) and I will post it to you. You may choose to mail it to me – craythornes@actrix.co.nz

35-year badge

In September 1998, the first Canterbury Branch 35-year badge was presented. (144 branch presentations to date.) If you are entitled to a 35-year badge (once again for continuous membership) please contact me and I will put the process in place.

50-year award

The first awards were presented on 23 April 2000 during the National South Island Easter Rally, hosted by Canterbury Branch. (50 Canterbury Branch presentations to date.) The VCC Management Committee administers this prestigious award. The recipient must be nominated and seconded by current Club Members. The nomination must then be approved by the Branch Committee and forwarded to National Office for the Committee’s consideration. (Please contact me for application criteria.)

60-year award

In September 2014, the first Canterbury Branch 60-year award was presented to Tom Clements. (10 branch presentations to date.)

70-year award

2019 saw the first Canterbury Branch 70-year award presented to Tom Clements. Andrew and Mollie Anderson also received their awards that year. (3 branch presentations to date.)

Please note: Members do not have to have been in the same branch for 25, 35, 50, 60, 70 years – it is recognition for continuous membership of the Club.

Leigh Craythorne 342 9110 Email craythornes@actrix.co.nz