The GDC Wheels Week+ programme – celebrating everything and anything with wheels – winds up in Ashburton this weekend with two final events; the Ashburton Car Club’s standing 1/4-mile sprint, and the Ashburton Family Go Kart Club paddock racing.
The two events will bring the three-week programme, sponsored by Greg Donaldson Contracting, to a close.
Committee member Peter Jacob said it had been a mixed bag for organisers this year as wet weather and sodden conditions adversely hit some events mid-programme.
‘‘It’s a shame to mention the weather, I don’t really want to mention the weather,’’ he said.
‘‘The first weekend was absolutely amazing weather wise and then the amount of people that turned out for the events, especially the street sprints, the Carbs & Coffee event at Joe’s Garage, I think there were about 50 cars there; the organiser was absolutely blown away.
‘‘The classic car run that topped it off for me, there was approximately 150 attending. That was just a stunning day. and that was replicated (on Sunday) at the Lakehouse (at Lake Hood) with the classics and coffee and retro boats.’’
Jacob said two retro boats on trailers and about 60 vehicles turned out for the event, which was open to the public to park up and show their vehicles.
‘‘There were cars, there were two Big Macks from Road Metals of Oamaru, two jet boats from Christchurch, there were pick up trucks, sports cars, big American cars, little English cars, motorbikes. It was bit of everything it was really, really good.’’
Also happening last weekend was the Property Brokers Ashburton’s annual scooter race at the Ashburton Domain which saw about 23 children take part and the wheelchair basketball game in front of an intimate crowd.
‘‘It was the best game of wheelchair basketball I think the celebrities and the Canterbury basketball team have played,’’ Jacob said.
‘‘It was amazing. There was a lot of younger people in chairs including the Peck children from Ashburton – and the emphasis was on them, encouraging them. It was more kid focused.’’
Jacob said some of the events which cancelled in the middle weekend tried to reschedule, such as the speedway. But it was not possible for the likes of the swap meet, rod and custom display.
‘‘The weather was a bit stink, leading up to that weekend. The Saturday was perfect, and would have been perfect for all the events, but (the ground) was just too wet.
‘‘A week later, the vintage car guys went out to have a look at the paddock and it was still sodden. There was still water in the ruts and stuff. It wasn’t good.’’
Jacob was hopeful this weekend’s two events would go ahead with no issues. The longterm forecast for Saturday is fine with a high of 19 degrees Celsius, while Sunday is rain and 13 degrees.
He was also thankful to the sponsors who had made the annual event programme possible. He said one of the challenges for the programme was getting the right mix of events to be of interest to cover everyone, including children.
‘‘A big thanks to all the sponsors, without their efforts and support these local events won’t exist. I do encourage people to thank the sponsors by using them, if they can.
‘‘Rock on next year,’’ he said.
—— THIS WEEKEND ———
– Ashburton Car Club’s annual Wheels Week Standing 1/4 Mile Sprint on Blands Rd, northwest of Ashburton (off the Methven Highway) on Saturday from 9am. A standing start event over a measured distance of up to 400 metres (1/4 Mile). Entry $80/vehicle, day membership $20. Spectators free. Road closed to the public from 9am to 4.30pm.
– Ashburton Family Go Kart Club paddock racing at the Paton property 30 Christys Rd, Elgin (just off Beach Rd East) on Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Weather dependent. Entry fee for competitors. Updates on the Ashburton Family Go Kart Club Facebook.
