Lotus on Track - NZ trip itinerary

[iwilson]

Day One and Two. 9th and 10th of Nov. Auckland Airport to Paihia. Two nights. Accom Outrigger Motel.





Day Three. 11th of Nov. Paihia to Pukekohe (via the west coast route). Accom Touchwood Motel (no availability LoT has taken the entire Motel)



Day Four. 12th of Nov. Pukekohe to Coromandel. Accom Anchor Lodge



Day Five. 13th of Nov. Coromandel to Taupo. Accom Suncourt Motel



Day Six. 14th of Nov. Taupo to Napier. Accom Masonic Hotel



Day Seven. 15th of Nov. Napier to Mansfeild. Accom Raceway course Motel



Day Eight. 16th of Nov. Mansfeild to Ohakune. Accom Ohakune Court Motel



Day Nine. 17th of Nov. Ohakune to Raglan. Accom Suncourt Motel



Day Ten. 18th of Nov. Raglan to Auckland. Accom Aspen House




As mentioned in previous posts there will be track days on the 12th, 14th and 16th of Nov at Pukekohe, Taupo and Mansfeild. If you are interested in attending then you need to speak with Ken at Club Lotus NZ who are running the days on our behalf. The LoT group will be running in their own sessions.

We will also be attending the WRC special stage on Friday the 17th of Nov.

We're still working on planned activities, so far we have booked the Tucker for an evening cruise on the 10th.



Will also try the Luge in Rotorua and we'll try to squeeze in some other touristy stuff along the way.

Anyone wanting to, is welcome to join in or meet up along the way.

There is a word doc with basically the above but in more detail here.

We have got a small discount on rooms so anyone wishing to book rooms can do so under the Lotus on Track booking - but you must pay separately and make it clear to the Motel to avoid any confusion. Many Motels have limited availability so book now to avoid disappointment!

Edited by iwilson on Thursday 12th October 06:44

Edited by iwilson on Thursday 12th October 06:48

[Esprit]

I'm there

I'm probably going to do something similar to Dean and join the tour for the period encompassing the 3 trackdays and maybe as far as ohakune

Should be good fun

[marksteamnz]

Any reason for skipping hwy 16 to Wellsford on the Northern legs? Just curious as I loath driving hwy one if I can avoid it.
Cheers
Mark Stacey

[Kiwi XTR2]

marksteamnz said:

Any reason for skipping hwy 16 to Wellsford on the Northern legs? Just curious as I loath driving hwy one if I can avoid it.
Cheers
Mark Stacey

Looks like they're turning right at Woodcocks Rd at Warkworth on the way back to Auckland. I agree that a right turn at Wellsford onto SH16 would be better (and they would miss the Dome Valley carnage zone)

[Esprit]

[redacted]

[iwilson]

Well spotted. Just a glitch with the route solving software. I've edited the original post and corrected it. I wanted to keep it very simple on the first day. They get straight of a plane and into the rentals, so SH1 to Paihia on the way up but a hopefully more interesting route on the way back down including the ferry crossing across the Hokianga to Rawene.

I forgot to add we're having a bbq at my place in Pukekohe on the evening of the 11th, which is a Saturday night. PH'ers are welcome, byo poison and meat.

[marksteamnz]

marksteamnz said:

Any reason for skipping hwy 16 to Wellsford on the Northern legs? Just curious as I loath driving hwy one if I can avoid it.
Cheers
Mark Stacey

Opps! My mistake. Maps 1, 3 and 5 show different routes. Map 3 is 16 all the way 1 and 5 look like a hook across to Orewa from Kaukakapa. I agree about Woodcocks though a smashing piece of road and now sealed all the way. Don't tell anyone though! Keep it for sunny days.

Cheers
Mark Stacey

[iwilson]

No Mark you had it right. I've only changed map three to reflect the actual route on the day. We haven't been to cunning with the roads since I'll have no chance of remembering the entire route and I don't want to have my head buried in a map the whole time since the other half is dangerous when armed with a map! Also we want to leave time for touristy stuff and arrive at each destination with time to relax.

[htsd]

Wish I could join you, thats a fantastic tour of the north island. The third day is a pretty long one though- Paihia to Puke- I hope you make it through Auckland at a decent hour or you'll be sitting on the motorway for a very, VERY long time.

[roger A]

Woodcock rd is SH 16 isn't it? or at least the northern bit of it

[Kiwi XTR2]

roger A said:

Woodcock rd is SH 16 isn't it? or at least the northern bit of it

SH16 (at least the northern part of it) is the road we took from Kaukapakapa to Wellsford. Woodcocks Rd joins back into SH16 about half way up.

[Kiwi Carguy]

Not sure if you've used smaps but it's great as you can just keep moving across the map and it refreshes as you go www.smaps.co.nz/nz/rodney/warkworth+rural/woodcocks+road/

[kiwi le]

OK - so who going then ????? and if so where are you staying ???

[Esprit]

I'm going to Puke on the Sunday (and the pissup at Ian's the night before), I've got to work Monday and will probably shoot down to Taupo on Monday night or Tuesday morning for the Taupo day... will stay at my folks' place on the Tuesday night in Havelock north when everyone else is in Napier. Will meet up with them for the day and will probably stay in Havelock again on Wednesday night (coz it's cheap!) Then off to Manfield early in the morning for the trackday then I'll head back to auckland thereafter.. that's gonna be a helluva long day! Might book into a Motel on the way up somewhere and crash for the night... got to put in an appearance at work on Friday. Will meet back up with the tour when it passes back into Auckland

[Esprit]

Looks like we've another companion for the Manfield trackday.... after talking with Ian and Ken, I've extended an invitation to some friends of mine down that way with a TVR.... might even have to see if the old man wants to bring the E-type out for a good thrashing!

[iwilson]

Just a quick note. The guys arrive tomorrow - Thursday. We'll be heading north for a couple of days before heading back to Pukekohe on Saturday. BBQ at my place on Saturday night. PH'ers are welcome byo meat and drink.

Address is 8 Valley side way, Pukekohe. Kick off from around 6pm onwards. Among the minor celebs will be Simon Scuffham who has keep us all entertained for many years on all things Elise. Paul Golding the founder of Seloc and LoT and general trouble maker will also be there along with many of the 'hard core' of the UK Elise scene.

My mb. is 021 354189, would appreciate a txt if you are planning on attending.

[Esprit]

You know I'll be there Ian

[Kiwi XTR2]

Don't we turn on the best weather for our overseas guests

[Esprit]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

Don't we turn on the best weather for our overseas guests

The weatherman predicts three soaking wet trackdays... might ask the girl if I can borrow the hothatch instead.

[Kiwi XTR2]

Esprit said:

The weatherman predicts three soaking wet trackdays... might ask the girl if I can borrow the hothatch instead.

'Borrow' or 'Swap'