Night Drive  Saturday 6th October.

After safely passing both speed cameras on Whakatu drive we arrived before the approved time at Brightwater saleyards for the customary catch up and chat. Matched up in our pairs we set off at 3 minute intervals with our instructions and personal radio channels, although we found out later others are inclined to listen to your discussions.

No problems at this stage as we cruised up the Wairoa river valley finding various clues and confirming 1965 as being the year the Ford Mustang was released. A few km’s around the back of Wakefield before we finished up at Faulkner’s bush for the optional meal break. Sharing some bacon and egg pie with the foodless organizer proved to be a wise investment for the later prize giving.

The 3 minute intervals between teams became compressed at the Spring Grove service station as no one could find the answer required for the question sheet, (because it wasn’t there). Onwards, past Eves Valley and as twilight turned to darkness coupled with the uncertainty of some clues the tension increased between team members. Redwood Valley, Mahana, a bit of confusion at George Harvey road saw the first of our mileage correction factors being calculated. After a wrong assumption, (to assume makes an ass out of u and me) we traveled through Upper Moutere township and decided to retrace our tracks when we made it to the summit of the Moutere Highway. After quite some time and a large mileage correction factor we were back on track off through Orinoco, Thorpe, almost into the clay bank while trying to make up time in the gravel and having a sneaky look to confirm the instructions. Then into the Dovedale forest. With still more than 1 page of instructions to go I was a bit apprehensive about the low fuel warning light that was now staying on even on the straight bits so I was pleased to make to the top of Jacobs Ladder as it is downhill to Wakefield from here. Imagine the kafuffle if I ran out of fuel.

In the interest of fuel economy the last circuit around the 88 and onto the finish at Belgrove Bar & Café was completed by 1 vehicle. As the team had driven 50 – 60 km’s more than was necessary we were a good half hour late so missed out on the supper but were still clever enough to receive 3rd prize.

Thanks to Ian Hanford for the effort in organizing the event.

Team 11.
Tony & Jude Steenhart,
Rae & Gail Warne.