Rakaia Gorge Club Car Run (September 2008)
Organisers: AJ & Grant Harman
Words by AJ Williams
Pictures by AJ & H. Ruffell
Arriving at the rally start point, Cookie Time on the Main South Road, it was obvious that the day was going to be a stunner, so I was really looking forward to the run out to the Rakaia Gorge.
At 1:30pm Grant gave everyone the rundown on the route we were to take;
- Leave Cookie time, head straight out to Rakaia and then re-group at the Salmon Cafe.
- Then straight out on the Rakaia/Methven Road and through to Methven.
- From there it was a straight run out to the Gorge.
We handed out maps & question sheets for the run and a few sweets to get us all going and then headed off.
At the re-group Peter and Penny decided it was too nice a run to stop and kept going towards Timaru (what happened to that new GPS gadget, Peter?).
So, just as we were about send a search party out, they turned up, obviously deciding that it was too far to go to Timaru for a cuppa and the Gorge was closer (thank goodness for that!).
We headed off again and it really was a great day, blue skies and a clear road, just what we needed. It wasn't long before we were in and out of Methven and then at the Gorge.
No mishaps, everyone arrived safely (Thirteen cars), and we soon began setting up the picnic blankets and unpacking afternoon teas.
I took the time to score the Q & A sheets to see who was going to take out the prizes,
- First; a beautiful Lotus Shirt (kindly donated by Andy at AutoTek Lotus - thanks Andy) Won by Craig and Christine
- Then 3 runners up, Barry & Jan, Kit & Carol and Jeremy Lush,
received either, a Lotus Key Fob and a Torch for the car,
or a Silverstone Race Circuit FM Radio and a 40th Anniversary badge.
It was a really great run and, with such a good turn out of cars, it made for a lovely afternoon; so a big thanks to everyone.
Sunday, the 14th of September, was also the 60th Diamond Anniversary for Lotus Cars, so it was fitting that the SLR had a run on the same day that Lotus celebrated 60 years at Hethel.
Lotus (& other!) Lineup
