TR Register (New Zealand) Inc
National Weekend 2011 - Wanganui

In 2011 the TR Register New Zealand Inc National Weekend was held over the extended weekend from Thursday 3^rd March -  Sunday 5^th March 2008 at Wanganui in the North Island of New Zealand.    

This was followed by a 5 day scenic tour around the western and central North Island

Following the trend set at Cromwell two years ago this event started on Thursday afternoon adding a whole extra day to the traditional National Weekend.

The weekend began on Thursday afternoon after a sunny journey for most although several of those visiting from the South Island were delayed by an unplanned change in a Cook Straight ferry scheduling.  Everyone gathered at the main venue, the Collegiate Hotel for a most enjoyable get together following registration that set a trend for the whole event with great food and companionship.

On Friday morning under an ominously dark sky about fifty TRs gathered at Queens Park for the annual concours competition while the ladies headed to the main street of Wanganui for dedicated retail therapy.  This lasted for about 40 minutes until the clouds burst, heavy rain set in and cars & people scattered before drivers & navigators eventually regrouped before heading out on the planned morning run.    The run, through some great but somewhat damp scenery, ended with an excellent lunch at the Wanganui Vintage Car Club clubrooms.    Later in the day after a short bus ride from the hotel all boarded the 110 year old paddle steamer "Waimarie" for a most enjoyable steam powered cruise up and down the Whanganui River.  During this scenic journey .....fortunately under clearer skies than earlier in the day, a fine BBQ meal was served. PS "Waimarie" has been recently restored and the whole operation was a credit to all involved.

Saturday morning began with a Forum that brought some very positive discussion regarding the Register's direction and would have continued for another hour or so if the time had been available. The Saturday run began from the nearby Jubilee Stadium with the rain not helping and was was planed so that that there were several different sets of instructions for exiting Wanganui ...there was little merit in just following the TR in front!   This covered some amazing country and even the odd unplanned perilous road works but all the cars eventually end up at the planned destinations.  The weather was disappointing as the selected routes offered some spectacular scenery around roads that one would otherwise never know of.

The Annual Dinner was held at the Collegiate Hotel during which the concours prizes were awarded.  A great evening again with the very best of food and companionship.

Sunday morning was again a test for the water tightness of the average TR as the cars assembled at Kowhai Park alongside the Whanganui River for a run to historic Bushy Park, a carefully run sanctuary for the regeneration of native birdlife including the Kiwi. A final luncheon was held at the Wanganui Race Course before those heading home set home leaving a smaller group to enjoy the tour that was to follow.

Altogether 10 TR2's, 1 Doretti, 2 TR3A's,  6 TR4's, 5 TR5's, 2 TR250's, 16 TR6's, 4 TR7's, 2 TR7 V8 and 1 TR8, were noted at this year's event .. about 50 cars in all.   Again this year we were fortunate to have offshore visitors, Robert & Sue Notley, joining us from the UK.

The tour, that would cover the next five days though to lunch on Friday, set off for the first night stop at Harwera with twenty two people in twelve cars, and encountered sunshine that lasted all week less than an hour out from Wanganui.   At Hawera the group visited the Tawhiti Museum & Whalers & Traders Museum before driving to Opunake and the Opunake soap factory that specialised in the making of natural soaps and similar products.  Then on to Opunake Beach and the the Dawson Falls at base of Mt Taranaki before visiting  a Possum factory "Envirofur".  The next morning after a night at Stratford the tour ventured to Whangamomona and the historic Whangamomona Hotel on the "Forgotten World Highway" before returning the Stratford exploring some road tunnels.  From there across the base of Mt Taranaki to just north of Opanake to join Surf Highway 45.  After an educational stop at the Maui Information centre a visit to the cast iron lighthouse on Cape Egmont followed.  Further north on Highway 45 a short stop was made at the recently commissioned Taranaki region coast guard launching facility complete with a new $650k boat

Tuesday and Wednesday nights were spent in New Plymouth with visits to a good Rolls Royce collection and the world famous Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens.  On Thursday morning the tour left New Plymouth set off north along the coast to Awakino for morning tea and whitebait fritters before heading to Te Kuiti for lunch.  From Te Kuiti the route passed through Bennydale for the final night in Taupo.  Friday morning brought a visit to the Aratiatia dam for the scheduled opening to view the rapids followed by morning tea at the Lava Glass Cafe with the opportunity to watch the resident glass blowers performing their craft.  The tour finished at the Huka Falls Resort restaurant for lunch.

Overall the weekend and the tour made for another very special occasion and, in spite of the weather were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who was fortunate enough to be there.

A very special thanks to the organisers Ken Pfeffer together with Alan & Gael Hylton who gave us another TRemendous experience

Preliminary Competition Results:

Classic Cover Cup (Highest overall points):

P & B Glass Trophy (Peoples Choice):

Saturdays Questions & Recognition:
 
Grope Box:
 

1. Graeme & Joy Thomas. 2. Tony & Liz Phillips. 3. Jan & Marian Hendrix.

1. Phillip & Julie Hoffman TR 5. 2. Peter & Diane Parker TR 4.

Robert Johnston & Stella MacDonald

Steve Brettell and Brian Cannons equal on 8 correct.
After Grope Off Brian Cannons won by one point.

Concours at Wanganui ...before the rain!

The organisers:

Ken Pfeffer, Alan & Gayle Hylton

Quite a few TRs gathered at the Wanganui Vintage Card Club for lunch on Friday.

Friday evening on the Whanganui River.  On the top deck of PS Waimarie several of the group enjoying the excellent BBQ meal.

Friday evening: Presentation of the Concours Prizes

Trophies on display before presentation

Frank Cleary presenting Ken Pfeffer with a certificate for the Masters Trophy (TR5)

Sunday: The final lunch at the Wanganui Racecourse

The Great Grope Off ..  The initial result for the Grope box contest resulted in a tie.
The solution .. a "Grope Off" between smiley Steve Brettell (left) and the eventual winner Brian Cannons (right)

Grant Simpson has a point to make ......

But  Jonathan Petterson
carefully explains
the technical details

and

Ken Burton
has some
comments
to add

Steve Payne explains some obscure but serious technical matter to Kevin Thorburn...

Unfortunately, as Nigel & Gloria Hayman were heading out of Wanganui on their way home in the rain, the TR was attacked by a "modern" that forgot to give way on a roundabout.  They had just won the "Pride of Ownership" trophy that Gloria is holding in the somewhat battle scared TR2.