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Akitio Beach Run Report Oct 2009

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6.30am Sunday – Hmmmm, from the sound of what I can hear on the roof outside I don’t think it’s going to be a “Sun”day buy hey it’s an MG run so it will be a Funday!

We set off in drizzly rain from Palmerston North and headed off to the start in Pahiatua via the Pahiatua track road – over the top we were in the clouds and it was very pea soupy. A good test for the car with lights, wipers and heater fan all managing to operate together!

24 cars assembled at the start in Pahiatua – these included our tour leaders TR7/8, 2 Stags, Midget, Montego, MGF’s and the usual gaggle of MGB & BGT’s plus a modern Mercedes Benz sports car. Everyone set off via Kaitawa Road for the journey to our first stop at Pongaroa where the weather was bright overcast and dry much to our TR tour leaders glee – this was however to be short lived!

From Pongaroa there was a choice of two routes to make your way out to the beach at Akitio. The first route involved 13kms of gravel / mud and the second route was a sealed option. With the heavens about to open with the arrival of the forecast southerly, we went the sealed route with a few others and then joined up with the gravel bashers and mud wrestlers at the beach rendezvous point. Some serious car washing will be required in the week ahead! For some maybe….. As the rain continued the local Akitio store owner kindly let us use the veranda of the store to shelter from the elements whilst we all dined in our usual style. As we were about to leave it was noticed that the RHR tyre on Bruce’s roadster had developed a fault with all the air in it now apparently at the top! In true motor racing style an MG service crew materialised out of nowhere and the tyre was off and changed very quickly whilst the corporate sponsors watched on from the luxury of their catered box at the Akitio Store stand!

After lunch we toured back to Pongaroa through Makuri and onto to the finish at the Cafe at the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka. Despite the weather an enjoyable drive and days outing – thanks to Hugh & Sue for once again arranging this run for everyone – see, Triumph owners can be useful after all!

See you all at the next run – details coming soon……!

Tags: Bulletin Board by Dom
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2009 Coast to Coast Run Report

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Photo: Rob Crowley
 
19 cars in total 15 departing from New Plymouth & 4 from Wanganui…….
On Friday 6 cars travelled in convoy to New Plymouth, the other 9 made their own way. After a meal of fish and chips and a swim in the hot pool at the Flamingo Motel we slept through a rough night, much rain and lightning and awoke early to heavy rain which managed to stop for our start at the beach. Got away pretty much on time led by Robin and Claire on the new ‘SEALED’ route via Kaimata to Whangamomona. After a challenging drive on twisting and real drivers roads, some dropping a way on both sides in driving rain and much lightning we arrived at the final section. GRAVEL/RAISED GRASSED CENTRE STRIP? Forcing many to attempt to ride on the centre strip and the berme of the road in an attempt to stop bottoming out. (Hadn’t seen a grader in years!) Arrived at Whangamomona Hotel where most decided to ditch the Thermos and headed to the warmth and fare at the hotel. Thanks Claire for organising that as it was bloody cold and the campsite toilets were closed. Robin received a bit of stick about his local knowledge All the above made us late to meet up with those who had travelled up from Wanganui and had spent an unpleasant wait for us. Cars refulled and a quick picnic lunch under shelter at the Tauramanui Station and we were off again led by Rob and Jean, all went well until Robs car died going down one of those long hills on the Western Bays Road immediately after a loaded logging truck had let us all through which ended up with a que of MGs at the side of the road and a bemused logging truck having to pass us all in a way not to his liking. We have to give thought as to what happens when a leading car or any car breaks down in the future. All went well in the end except we had some cars stopped and others all split up travelling by various routes to Whakatane. Only two cars made it to the beach, Hugh and Sue and Rex and Jualane, thanks guys, two small buses picked us up for Dinner and Dance at the R S A Where Bernard Atwell did his utmost to fratanise with the locals and many of us enjoyed the dance floor. Afterwards the buses returned us to the Motel after a great night out 
The following day we all travelled through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne for lunch on the beach front in fine but blustery conditions and travelled on to Kennedy Park in Napier. At the fuel stop in Wairoa where the bulk of the group waited for three of us to catch up after assisting Gay and Bill to to sort out a rear wheel problem (tyre self distructing) Kath with M G Bear was Photographed which resulted in the News paper clipping currently on our Web Site.
Kennedy Park excelled themselves both on a service level and the final night function where we all had a fun filled evening and prize giving. A good trip was finished off with lunch the following day at Cafe 88 at Woodville by many of us. (Ross & Carolyn)

Tags: Bulletin Board by Dom
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