6 minute read
Irishman Creek Rally 2021
Irishman Creek, a rally that is 60+ years old, open only to Veteran and Vintage vehicles, steeped in tradition and history, a rally that in it’s early days I’m told did not allow women, (they know better these days) and a rally known for it’s challenging back country driving. Stephen and I attended in 2019, booked for 2020, so this year we were definitely going and younger generation Ryan and Kate were adamant we weren’t to leave them behind! It is probably 40 years plus since Dad (Norm Dewhurst, had attended as crew for someone else) and with us going and the comfort of a back up driver with Kate, it wasn’t hard to convince him it was time he went back in his own car. Chains were purchased and modified to fit, anti freeze added, spares squirreled away in every available space, maintenance tasks completed, including 4 new tyres we had been putting off purchasing for the Talbot which were fitted days before leaving. The Essex set off the day before us, with the plan that if we set off earlier enough the following day we would catch them for lunch and continue to Wellington for a 2a.m. ferry crossing. Unfortunately the phone call came through as we hit Te Rapa – “I don’t like the noise coming from the engine, there’s time for you to go home and bring a modern for us please. So the Essex went home on a transporter and from Owhango, Mum, Dad and Ryan were in a modern. Picton to Ashburton, with a stop to see good friend Gay Goodman, an Auckland member from way, way back who has been a Cantabrian since way back. The last few miles into Ashburton in the fast disappearing light were a little stressful as the Talbot hiccupped and faltered down SH1 and into the Motel. Fortunately this was the only issue of the trip, dirty fuel which meant a few stops to clear the carburettor and lines. In the morning, a quick stop at Rob and Diane Ross to use the compressed air to be sure and that was the end of our problem. Ashburton to Alexandra was day 2, over the Ashburton bridge which was like something out of a wacky cartoon with it’s wavy railings and lumpy road. It must have been so close to being wiped out. The debris in the all the rivers through here had to be seen to be believed, along with the gravel and rocks that the water had carried and dumped into paddocks and not taken back when water receded. Alexandra was the start of the rally and we found Steve Driver and Terry Costello to be in attendance, knew that Peter Alderdice and crew were here in the Oakland, and on Saturday discovered Steve Keys crewing for another vehicle. The field of 162 cars was predominately Model A with a smattering of everything else, including not one but 2 Rolls Royce’s. While waiting to cross a ford on the Saturday, the driver of a car ahead was wandering down the queue and we got talking to find it was new Auckland members Chris and Lynne Pollock who were in their Model A along with 3 of their daughters. Saturday saw us travel in a very zig zag fashion from Alexandra to Fairlie, via several places that I would have liked to stop for a little longer but it had been impressed upon us the length of the day’s driving did not give us time to “muck around”. All route plotting for reasons known only to the plotters was referenced to in terms of travel times and petrol consumption in a Model A, (I’ll leave all
Irishman Creek Rally 2021 Contd..
Model A jokes aside) St Bathans, Ranfurly, Naseby, Dansey’s Pass, Duntroon, Kurow, Hakataramea River Valley and Meyers Pass. Plenty of gravel, rocks, tight corners, big climbs and equally big descents to test your driving skills. We take a quick reconnoitre of a map to determine that there are many more miles of instructions and very little daylight left. While many head for the main road, just as many would not be beaten and continued to follow the route, and I have to mention that more than one Model A appeared to be very grateful of the light the Talbot was providing as we followed Back Line Road (or Black Line Road) for an eternity. One last rocky and reasonable fast flowing ford was navigated in the dark and we arrived back in Fairlie just in time for a whiskey at the pub and a takeaway Chinese dinner 2 minutes before they closed! At this point I need to mention that our fellow Essex crew, who were now Nissan mounted, had completed the rally route as well. Unfortunately given what turned out to be poor advice from one of Friday night’s officials, Dad had successfully completed the day without any assistance until the last ford where a little “tow” was required. Sunday was another early start and long run to the field test location. Today we were headed to Omarama, down to Burkes Pass, Dog Kennel corner and then through Mt Haldon Station and the Black Forest Road. This road circles Lake Benmore and is used to service the power lines. Magnificent views although at the highest point we were surrounded in fog. Back down to Lake Benmore Dam, but not before negotiating a washed out river bed and then a more “normal drive” to lunch and a field test for those who were keen which comprised of a time trial on a circular track in the paddock. The Talbot completed both days without a problem or need of a tow and certainly a test of character for Kate, whose concerns on Sunday’s drive were reinforced when Stephen told her “if I say kill the ignition, turn it off immediately”. Sunday night prizegiving and supper is very informal, there are no formalities. The North Islanders were acknowledged tongue in cheek by having to stand up and give their name and vehicle for which they were rewarded with left over Subway from Saturday and a Beanie. It was pleasing to see that 3 Northern families were there with more than 1 generation of family, the future custodianship of our vehicles is OK. Homeward bound on Monday, with an afternoon stop in Christchurch at fellow Talbot and Sunbeam owners Craig and Elizabeth Keenan, overnight in Cheviot and then once you hit Wellington, it seems the trip is over and it’s “Home James and don’t spare the horses”. 7 days, 2400 miles, gallons of petrol, no water, half a pint of oil, one broken engine mount and a loose shock absorber. The second time we have broken an engine mount bolt and the replacement this time has included a modification to improve the original design and eliminate the weakness. While this year’s event was a little heavy on the miles and light on the socialising time, each year is different and it’s a must on the bucket list if you enjoy a more challenging drive and aren’t concerned about the paint. Like anything the more prepared you are the easier the task as well.
Irishman Creek Rally 2021 Contd..
It rewards with some magnificent NZ scenery and driving on roads that these cars would have taken in their stride when new. I know we’ll be back.
Tracey Winterbottom
Kate Winterbottom driving the Talbot
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