Waimate 50

[GravelBen]

So it seems they've revived the old 'Waimate 50' street race this year, and its looking rather entertaining. Run as 3 events in one - hillclimb, gravel sprint and street sprint.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~debkibble/event.htm

An impressive 100-strong entry list too including Rod Millen in one of his 4wd RX7s and Andrew Hawkeswood in the Group B replica Audi Quattro, along with the usual bunch of Escorts, V8s, Classics, 600bhp Skylines and so on:

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~debkibble/pdf/Waimate...

So if you're looking for something to do in the central SI over labour weekend... I should be there snapping some photos anyway.

[GravelBen]

I should add, try not to drink the water or touch the locals... safety first.

[Kiwi XTR2]

GravelBen said:

I should add, try not to drink the water or touch the locals... safety first.

So same as Hamilton then

[cainchapman]

As long as you don't look like a local or come from Timaru, you should get out unmolested.

Grunter will be fun to watch in the Chevy Coupe. Slideways!

[Kylie]

cainchapman said:

As long as you don't look like a local or come from Timaru, you should get out unmolested.

get fked munter Want to go Clay birding again this weekend, could do with another bottle of Bolli

[cainchapman]

Looks like we are around. No idea. I have Elise on Saturday and we are out in the evening, I am told.

Sunday could be a slow start...

Will talk with 'her indoors', might see you later in the 'mancave'.

Personally, I think it's time for a new challenge.

http://www.spareroom.co.nz/2007/01/17/the-queen-of...

Check out contestant number 2! Proof, that Waimate is nearby.

[Kylie]

cainchapman said:

Looks like we are around. No idea. I have Elise on Saturday and we are out in the evening, I am told.

Sunday could be a slow start...

Will talk with 'her indoors', might see you later in the 'mancave'.

Personally, I think it's time for a new challenge.

http://www.spareroom.co.nz/2007/01/17/the-queen-of...

Check out contestant number 2! Proof, that Waimate is nearby.

Oh dear what up with that hehe ....Or fancy taking on No.2 position on the catwalk as the new challenge you mean?
Will talk to Julie, thought you guys were heading to Tairua, well be in Pauavegas tom night for whole weekend, pop in. Going caving at D's laters too.

[CRM]

Any pictures?

[GravelBen]

Yes.









But not until I get home sometime tomorrow then download, process, pick the good ones and upload them.

[CRM]

Thanks Ben

[lestag]

GravelBen said:

Yes.
But not until I get home sometime tomorrow then download, process, pick the good ones and upload them.

Nice and comfy at home yet Ben?????

[GravelBen]

About a third of the way through processing, here are some to start with...



Rod Millen was quick and consistent, to be expected really!


Hawkeswood entertaining as always:


This thing was nuts an hilarious watching the driver fight it all the way:












Millen borrowing the beast... said it was the highlight of his weekend even if it did try to kill him!


Derek Ayson is probably the most consistently sideways driver I have ever seen...


But visiting Aussies gave it a good shot too.




Yes, its a dirty old 323 with a ridiculous wing. And a mid-mounted RB25DET, it still holds a number of SI hillclimb records.

One more Escort for today...

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 27th October 07:16

[Oscar the Grouch]

Looks like a good day out, might have to pencil that one in for 2011.

Will be out at the Formula 5000s at Ruapuna this weekend so that should help make up for missing the classic rally stuff.

[GravelBen]

Oscar the Grouch said:

...so that should help make up for missing the classic rally stuff.

Don't forget the Silver Fern 14th-20th Nov.

http://silverfernrally.co.nz/rally2010/maps.php

[GravelBen]

Some from the street sprint:

Lovely old Jag straight-6 special.





















Even a Lotus for you!

[GravelBen]

The Munstermobile...



A fire engine...



A remarkably quick Datsun:



Winning Evo had some ridiculous amount of power on tap - made 600+bhp Skylines look slow in a straight line.





Classic bikes at lunchtime:


This guy again:

[GravelBen]

Leo Leonard sideways at age 70, as far as I know the only competitor there to have also raced in the inaugural Waimate 50 in 1959 (won by Bruce McLaren).

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 28th October 10:50

[willyheatley]

Nice photos, looks fantastic!
What camera?

Edited by willyheatley on Thursday 28th October 09:16

[GravelBen]

Thanks! Using a Nikon D80, most of those with an 80-200 f/2.8 lens.

[GravelBen]

Finally finished processing...a few more for the road:


















Another hundred or so here as well, I got a bit carried away

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e392/GravelBen/W...