Veteran Report

VETERAN REPORT

After a postponement due to wet weather, the new date for this year’s annual veteran rally on10th October produced a picture-perfect day – ideal for our motoring and to enjoy the surroundings at our finish destination of Racecourse Hill homestead just out of Darfield. This year the run began at Malcolm and Anita McGibbon’s home in Telegraph road, where there was plenty of room for trailers and space to enjoy the pre-start morning tea and briefing. This year our numbers were boosted by 3 cars from Ashburton – Diane and Rob Ross (1902 Oldsmobile, Gavin and Annette Hunt (1903 Darracq) and David Oakley with Bruce McIlroy (1914 Rover) – great to have them along for the run. The time trial was held from the gate as cars departed, and ended at the entrance to Darfield 6km later. It was interesting to see the change in order of cars from start to finish of the timed section – obviously there was some overtaking going on along this stretch of road. In Darfield there was a quick visit to the small but interesting Fire Museum, and from there the cars split into two routes, a short one of 20km and a longer one of 40km for the more powerful cars. Both routes kept off the highways as much as possible, so the motoring was flat and easy, and by now the day was warming up too, making it particularly pleasant. The run finished in a field adjacent to the Homestead, with everyone easily arriving in time for lunch. We were joined there too by Richard and Kate Foster who had driven from Hororata in their 1915 Humber. An open day in the gardens meant there were a few spectators around too. We were then free to enjoy the gardens which were in full spring splendour - a very pleasant place to be on such a nice day. Field tests were then held – just a few simple tests that didn’t tax anyone too much. People began heading for home from 2.00pm, but a few of us left at the end were treated to the chance to have our cars photographed in front of the homestead now that most of the public had left the gardens as well. The run back to the McGibbon’s was a literally a breeze, with a slight downhill run and a tail wind, and once there Malcolm cooked up a few sausages to sustain us for the trip home.

A big shout out to the 16 veteran entrants, and to the extra 9 in newer clubeligible cars who joined us. Hat’s off to the few that motored all the way from home – especially Tim and Thomas Palmer who came all the way from Rangiora through the Waimak Gorge in their 1912 Unic, and Don and Judy Bennetts who drove from Marshland in their Albion. A special thanks too to Leigh and Tony Craythorne and Matthew Hey who were our marshals on the day, and to Malcolm and Anita for the use of your property for the start and finish. The results for the day were as follows: First place in time trial – John and Deborah McLachlan – 1918 Cadillac First place in field tests – Mike and Heather Glenday – driving Bevars Binnie’s 1914 Hupmobile Winner of Concours – Malcolm and Anita McGibbon – 1914 Renault Overall Winner – John and Deborah McLachlan – 1918 Cadillac. The next event on our own personal calendar is the National Veteran Rally in Cromwell over 29th to 31st October. Our plan is to leave our car there in the trailer and return two weeks later for the Pioneer Motoring Group run in Clyde. We’re then into the season of general branch runs like the Boxing Day run and the January picnic. We shall try and fit in another branch veteran run in the New Year between everything else that will be kicking off because we’ll be free of Covid restrictions, eh???? Happy veteran motoring in the meantime…. Colin Hey Veteran Convenor