Ashburton’s iconic Wheels Week+, where anything and everything with wheels is showcased, rolls into action with the first official event tomorrow.
It continues until Sunday, May 18.
The annual event, with main sponsor Greg Donaldson Contracting, has something to entertain young and old in its programme.
Wheels Week+ committee member Peter Jacobs said he was looking forward to events ranging from classic cars on show, to scooter, motorcycle, speedway and go kart racing.
He said the annual programme had turned from a two-week programme during the month of May, into four weekends full of action.
Events covered many favourites such as the Ashburton Car Club’s two-day street sprints which would get the wheels rolling this Saturday and Sunday, as well as Ashburton Plains Rotary Club’s classic car run.
Funds raised from this year’s rally were going to Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue.
Jacobs, himself a keen participant in the rally, said a crowd from Christchurch was expected driving Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers.
It usually draws in 150 to 180 cars, he said.
The following weekend on May 3 will see the stalwarts of Wheels Week+ programme start in Tinwald, just metres apart from one another; the Ashburton Vintage Car Club swap meet, with the Americar Rod and Custom Club display day next door, and down the road The Plains vintage wheels display.
‘‘That’s a good thing, people can go from one to another and look at three totally different things all on the same day,’’ Jacobs said.
While in Ashburton, the Ashburton Speedway is kick starting its two day racing event featuring national titles and the Originals Motorcycle Show ‘n’ Shine is set up at the Ashburton RSA.
Then mid-week on May 7 is the Ashburton Car Club memorial night car trial starting from the Ashburton Car Club clubrooms at 47 Wakelins Rd.
New events in the programme included a two-day tractor pull on May 10 and 11 which has not been included for a number of years.
‘‘It’s absolutely brilliant because it’s totally different, it’s going to attract a different crowd of people,’’ Jacobs said.
‘‘(Robbie) has got it just off State Highway One, beside the Hakatere Marae, which is the location of it this year.
‘‘The location is just going to entice the passersby to call in.’’
Jacobs said with coffee trucks, and food on site it was going to be a destination.
‘‘It’s going to be awesome.’’
Jacobs said Mother’s Day (May 11) also had plenty of offerings to entertain mum and/ or the family.
Day two of the tractor pull continues, a family-friendly Property Brokers scooter race for all ages returns to the Ashburton Domain, the aviation museum is open and The Classic Cars & Coffee – in conjunction with Retro & Classic Boats – is planned for Lake Hood.
Jacobs said it would go ahead regardless of the lake’s status, currently closed due to algal bloom.
If the lake remains closed, he said it would be held near the Lake House Restaurant area where parked-up boats could be viewed.
Organisers wanted to come down regardless and were keen to have an event, he said.
A noticeable omission this year in the programme was the popular wheelchair basketball game with a ‘celebrity’ team playing against the Canterbury Wheelies.
Jacob’s said despite not happening in the Wheels Week + programme, there were plans to have it later in the year.
He hoped members of the public would get out to support the action which was happening during Wheels Week+ and enjoy what was being offered in the district.
‘‘Support the events, support the sponsors, make the most of this programme. It’s for public participation and viewing. Make the most of it,’’ he said.
– For a full events programme go to www.wheelsweek.co.nz
