Chairman's Chat Well, we are now into another year and although it is supposed to be summer the weather is certainly changing from day to day. Low 30’s, lots of wind, no rain and the paddocks are brown. The year started with a run put on by Rod and Scarlett McKenzie to Akito Beach to meet up with the Wairarapa Branch (Report elsewhere in the Bleat) and a very enjoyable day it was too. We have a full and interesting programme for the next 4 months which will be listed in the calendar of events so keep looking as a report will let you know of the finer details. As mentioned last month a few went over to the Gumboot Rally in Taihape on 31st December 2016 - 1st January 2017 namely Lynn and Sandra Cross and myself. We left Waipukurau about 10.30am, lunch at Ashurst, and then up through Pohongina Valley to come out at Kimbolton, then across to Apiti, out to Mangaweka and then onto Taihape. Dinner was held at the Gumboot Manner as usual with the annual quiz which no one even came close to winning but a good night was enjoyed by about 20 people. The next day the Rally followed the same roads that we had come through the day before and lunch was held at the Kimbolton Hotel where the publican gave a speech on the history of the district. After lunch, via various back roads we ended up in Hunterville for the BBQ and prize giving. The Silent checks consisted of jumbled truck names, Lynn and Sandra Cross got all 17 right and won the Rally. A great and cheap weekend with both the Triumph Herald and the Hillman Minx getting over 30mpg for the weekend. You will enjoy this weekend so make a note of it for next year. In the past issues of Chairman's Chat Joyce our Editor had found photos from my camera and put them in the report and I have written a story on them. This month they are from Manfield Race Circuit which was used as part of the 2012 international Rally based in Whanganui. The bottom photos show the Gulf Oil Ford GT40 with Nick Mason (Drummer of Pink Floyd) getting out of the car and the red car is a Southwards Car Museum Monza Ferrari in which Ken Warton was killed in at Ardmore in 1957. I think the top car is the 250f Maserati which the late Chris Amon raced in the early 1960’s. Someone may be able to put me right. That's all for this month and will catch up with you in the future.
Bruce Poole CHB Branch Chairman
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