PistonHeads (of NZ) early-spring run!!!!

[Esprit]

Well all, it's time to get cracking on organising another run. After the success of the last one we're all keen to have another go.... and with the longer days and sunnier weather why not?!?!?!

We've already picked out a destination for a lunch-stop; The Hotel du Vin winery about 45 minutes south of Auckland Central.

<a href="www.hotelduvin.co.nz"><a href="www.hotelduvin.co.nz">www.hotelduvin.co.nz</a></a>

Still to set a date, but how about 2-3 weeks time? Sunday afternoon? I've sent an e-mail off to the hotel to enquire whether they can handle us as a group of casual lunchtime diners and will post up more when I have a reply.

As for the route, I was thinking about a meet in central Auckland at the Domain to start us off again at 10am (ish) and a convoy down the motorway to Manurewa (hill Road Exit) with a brief stop just along hill-road to meet up with anyone who wishes to join in from down south.

We can then go out past ardmore and down towards hunua and the restaurant for lunch and then on to find some more nice roads after that. I've got to get myself a map book so I can plan a route, anyone know any good roads out that way? As I said, last weekend we toured down that way out to the main state highway and then out towards Kaiaua for our lunch stop before coming back from there via the coast-road to Clevedon.... we can maybe do this or can find somewhere else to go if anyone has any suggestions.

As with last time, it's open invitation so once we've got a confirmed date/location/route, we'll put the word through the Lotus club and extend an invitation to anyone who wants to bring their toys out of the cupboard for an afternoon's motoring in the sun (hopefully).

What say you all?

EDITED TO ADD ROLL-CALL

The following people are confirmed for the run on Oct 2nd to Hotel du Vin and as-yet-undetermined venture south.

PHers

• Esprit - Elise S1

• HTSD (possibly passengering with uncle or other)

• Kylie (plus hubby ) - Esprit Turbo

• Kiwi LE - Londa Elise S1

• Roger A - Fraser 7

• KiwiXTR2 - Westfield or STi Impreza

• Darren - STi Impreza or Pug GTi (I'm guessing)

• Photochromatic - Elise 111R

Extras

• Tony Ingram - Elise 111R

• Dean & Karlene Savage - Esprit V8

>> Edited by Esprit on Wednesday 21st September 06:38

[Kiwi LE]

I'd have to say I know the roads out this way pretty well.......

I can set you up a few good roads to follow, as for a map book, I have been meaning to buy - www.tumonz.co.nz

Supposed to be very good ?
The Hotels nice and from there you'd go a bit further south then take the road to Miranda and back up the Clevedon as the return.

I'm still keen to get some hard core to do the Coromandel run - up, over back down the other side to Waihi and then back up the middle.....4.5 - 5 hours driving, but some of the best roads though.....stop at the top for a feed and off again, go days run.

But wouldn't want to be feeding TVR at the present pump rates !!

[roger a]

have pity on me George!-I'm in the USA from 13th-19th.
Post- 19th sounds great!

[Esprit]

Kiwi LE said:

I can set you up a few good roads to follow, as for a map book, I have been meaning to buy - www.tumonz.co.nz Supposed to be very good ? The Hotels nice and from there you'd go a bit further south then take the road to Miranda and back up the Clevedon as the return.

Think that's the run we did the other day... were some VERY good roads amongst it.... a friend of mine has TUMONZ, has had it for a year or so, I'll ask him how he finds it.... so we've one vote for post-19th Sept, that's doable I guess, was thinking of 3-weeks away which would make it the 25th?

[kylie]

I used to live out at Maraetai Beach and on occasion took some fine twisty roads to get to Miranda hot pools for a dip and past there on to Hotel duvin. Was over five yrs ago since I have done those roads but the MR2 at the time loved them. So there are plently of choices that should satisfy all.

[Kiwi LE]

Dam I'm in Europe on business 16th to 26th :-(

Do I hear a vote for the 2nd......
No matter what ever works, there will be more I'm sure ?

[lawrence1]

Why does every car club always head SOUTH on their club runs? Are you all homing pidgeons or something? I have never heard of a car club heading NORTH of Auckland yet for a club run. I guess you all think New Zealand ends at the Harbour Bridge?

[roger a]

Actually, the last run that George+ Kylie organised went to the Kaipara, and jolly nice it was, too

[Kiwi XTR2]

roger a said:

Actually, the last run that George+ Kylie organised went to the Kaipara, and jolly nice it was, too

A brilliant day it was.

Even managed to get 'White Van Man' into the action.

[kylie]

lawrence1 said:

Why does every car club always head SOUTH on their club runs? Are you all homing pidgeons or something? I have never heard of a car club heading NORTH of Auckland yet for a club run. I guess you all think New Zealand ends at the Harbour Bridge?

Hey there, you could come down from up north to join this run on Sunday 11th September.

Its a fun run up to the Salty Dog at Snells Beach. Meet at North Harbour Stadium Appian Way (just off Oteha Valley Road) at 11.00am, for a casual drive up to Snells Beach.

Are you guys in?


>> Edited by kylie on Wednesday 7th September 09:53

[roger a]

hi kylie. Fraser run same day.

[kylie]

Oh poo bum

[Esprit]

kylie said:

Hey there, you could come down from up north to join this run on Sunday 11th September. Its a fun run up to the Salty Dog at Snells Beach. Meet at North Harbour Stadium Appian Way (just off Oteha Valley Road) at 11.00am, for a casual drive up to Snells Beach. Are you guys in?

Sounds good I'm there .... that is if it's ok

The hotel du Vin said it's cool for us to turn up casually (no booking), as long as I can give them a date... at the moment it's either going to be Sunday 25th (just over a fortnight) or Sunday 2nd (the Sunday afterwards).... put your votes in for either date... most votes wins I know HTSD would probably prefer the second, as would KiwiLE .... anyone else have any opinions?

[kylie]

With this weekend, of course you can come along! It was supoosed to have been advertised within the Club, but cause I was away they discussed the arrangements then. I think they are getting numbers at the North Harbour Stadium carpark and ring ahead to sort some tables. I dont recall going tot he Salty Dog, so can't say what its like. With the Hotel duvin dates I can do all.. So far sounds like a 2 Oct?

[Esprit]

2Oct it is then (I just wanted to check it didn't clash with Bathurst.... it doesn't)

I'll e-mail the hotel and tell them that we'll likely be swinging by middayish on Sunday Oct 2nd

[Esprit]

Heard back from the Hotel, they're ideally after some ideas of numbers and an idea of time. It's tricky to get them an idea of numbers as this will likely be weather dependent. I said there'd likely be 10-20 people and they explained to me that this is difficult as 10 people are easy tohandle as a casual number whereas 20 people is a different proposition (they can do this but would need to know in advance) ... anyone have any idea how we can swing this? If we're looking at 15-20+ people I think we'll need to inform them... just wondering, is this sounding too serous for us or do you think we can swing this?

Any ideas?

[Kiwi XTR2]

Not ideal but I'd suggest a rough cut on the preceding Wednesday and then a call through at 10:00am on the day to confirm numbers.

I'm happy if they want to cut back to an 'easy' menu for us if that would help with number variability.

Other thoughts ?

[kylie]

I think that if we were to advertise this within the group here we could safely say 10 people max here to keep it simple. If we were to open it up to Lotus and TVR Clubs, it could turn out like the Nut Run numbers. So should we extend numbers?

[htsd]

I'm in for 2 Oct (thanks for that George) and was hoping to drag my uncle along to show him some exotica and give him an excuse to take his little car for a run. Will find out asap if he's in, otherwise I'll be looking for a passenger seat ride again!

[darren]

I'm in.