TAUMARUNUI CAR CLUB'S BIG DAY

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 4 (Supplement)

TAUMARUNUI CAR CLUB'S BIG DAY

When you're a Car Club of just 24 members holding a full-blown Rally for the first time, you've got to have your finger on the pulse and in reality, have full backing of all your club members, the area's local bodies, clubs and organisations and other individuals. Having obtained a permit from Motorsports National governing body, M.A.N.Z., Clerk of Course Mike Gibbs, along with his Rally Committee have the ROULSTON MOTORS Taumarunui Rally well in hand. With co-operation from the combined Taumarunui Councils plus rural residents, the route for the event has been set. It's approximately 285kms long. 135kms are divided into 8 Special Stages on hard, smooth, gravel country roads, most of which have been used as Special Stages on the International Rallies over the past 16 years. The first car is away at 8.00am on Saturday

morning (May 20th) from Roulston Motors (northern end of Taumarunui's Hakiaha St) and tours to Cobb & Co Special Stage One, on the corner of Kururau West Road at Otunui. This 13km stage was used recently by the Taumarunui Car Club as a Rallysprint for the second day of the Clubs' popular annual Kururau Hill Climb weekend. Tattles Motel Special Stage Two is Roto Rd to Huia Rd, or 16km from Tokorima to Ohura North Road, through Manga- Kahikatea Rd to Otangiwai and then touring to Special Stage Four. By this time, with nothing untoward putting the rally back, cars commence Taumarunui Printing Special Stage Four. An Ilam start for the first car away, over the Okahukura Saddle Rd. A short but very exciting 9kms offering excellent spectator viewing on the Taumarunui side near the finish. Arcadia Tearooms Special Stage Five takes competitors up Opotiki Rd to Otunui North to finish at the

Otunui School. The longest stage of the rally - 28kms. Clerk of Course, Mike Gibbs, is delighted that time allows for the Challenge Realty Pare Ferme in the Miriama Street Carpark (opposite Taumarunui Post Office). All competitors cars will be on show to the public for Wa hours. Mike says the club has worked the special stages in to allow the Pare Ferme to be held in Taumarunui, giving inquisitive people a closer look at these highpowered vehicles, in all their rally finery. The Hilton Motel Special Stage Six turns south, Hikumutu Rd to Owhango. 14kms offering good viewing at Otapouri Rd corner. Five to three should see the first car away on Taumarunui Cellars Special Stage Seven. 19kms on Kauwatahi Rd to Kaitieke. The Willows Restaurant Special Stage Eight has competitors on Raurimu Rd from Kaitieke school to

Raurimu Village with a Touring stage to finish back and the rally sponsors, Roulston Motors. Each of the Special Stages is connected by touring stages restricting competitors to normal speeds and rules of the public roads. Special stages are closed to all other traffic and closure

times are well publicised. More than 80 people are necessary to run the event on the day. The Taumarunui Car Club are grateful for assistance from Amateur Radio Emergency Corps, Taumarunui St Johns Ambulance, C.B. Radio Club, Jet Boat Club, Lions Club and other Car

Clubs. In future articles coverage will be given to sation (e.g. communications and timing) and details of entries already accepted. When one adds two competitors per car (driver and navigator) and at least two service crew per entry plus tim-

ing crews and keen spectators from out of town, Taumarunui will see a marked increase in visitors to town for the weekend. These visitors spend money on accommodation, food, petrol and the like. Thats a useful injection into the area's economy. Make them welcome.