For previous generations, the obtaining of a driver's license and a car was the key to freedom and a milestone on the path to adulthood. I am sure after reading Rod’s article in last month's Beaded Wheels on what is happening right now in Europe you would have to agree motoring currently is becoming somewhat brutal; a ‘Revolution is happening rather than an Evolution’. How charmed are we to live down-under in little ol’ Aotearoa, without the hard and fast rules and regulations our European partners have to succumb to right now. In many countries in the northern hemisphere, you are not permitted to drive your vehicle to a rally, but as an alternative, you have to trailer it, the "polluter pays" road charges. This principle will present problems for the historic vehicle movement moving forward. Maybe sometimes we take our rallying as ‘a right,' with 100% free access to our roads 24/7. Therefore there may come a ruling that to drive an ‘older fossil powered vehicle' it will be a necessity for it to be recorded under a recognised vehicle club, ideally where its insurance policies restrict usage to 5,000 km/year or similar. It is the opinion of many how essential it is we, the Vintage Car Club should encourage our younger people to learn and understand what our historic vehicles are all about. Currently, we have the support of the public as we motor. If we lose this privilege it will be at our peril, therefore offering our cars to the likes of schools and fundraising ventures, should be at the forefront of future events. In fact, we need to grab any and every opportunity we can to display our cars where the public at large will be in attendance. Moving onto a couple of events coming up for our branch in May that perhaps you would like to make a note of in your diaries. Chairman Jim has lined up a very interesting and informative guest speaker for our club night on 14th May. David Nordell is the man, and he hails from the mighty Waikato Branch. David is the ‘Master of Bugatti’s’ and what this clever craftsman cannot do to refurbish Bugatti’s is incredible! Sunday 27thMay please circle in your calendars. ‘Little Big Events’ have planned a ‘Vintage Weekend’ to be held at ‘Our Place’ (Container City) which I am sure you have seen currently situated in the CBD. Little Big Events weekend programme is pretty exciting; Friday night on the 25thMay, there is going to be a drive in cinema. Saturday there will be Vintage Markets with live music and food, and on the Sunday (and this is where our club comes into the act) the organisers are planning a Vintage Car Show in the car park next door to ‘Our Place’ for the public to come and view the cars for a gold coin donation, and of course chat to the people behind the cars. Your committee unanimously decided that because this date falls on the same day as we would have had our End of Month Run, we will substitute our run with this event. I will email out further details closer to the date. Happy motoring folks, Kaaren
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