Ashburton’s iconic Wheels Week Plus, where anything and everything with wheels is showcased, rolls into action with the first official event on Saturday, April 27, and the last on Sunday, May 19.
The annual event has an extended programme this year with something to entertain young and old.
Wheels Week Plus committee member Peter Jacobs is looking forward to the programme’s action – and its new events – which had turned from a two week programme into three full weeks due to date changes for longtime events.
‘‘There are four weekends of events covering all your favourites,’’ he said.
‘‘Starting off with the (Ashburton Car Club) two-day street sprints (April 27 and 28) which always brings a lot of people into Ashburton, and also the much anticipated Classic Car Run (April 28).
‘‘This year the funds are going to Starship.’’
‘‘There could be 200-plus cars going up to Griggs at Surrey Hills. I do know there are people coming from Christchurch and Timaru for it, so that is quite cool.’’
The following weekend continues with stalwarts of Wheels Week; the Ashburton Vintage Car Club swap meet, with the Americar Rod and Custom Club display day next door, The Plains vintage wheels display, and the Originals Motorcycle Show ‘n’ Shine at the Ashburton RSA (all-May 4).
Then mid-week there is the Suzie Morrison and Grant Gordon Memorial Night Trial (May 8) starting from the Ashburton Car Club rooms.
New events in the programme include all-ages scooter racing, a carbs and coffee gathering, and a car boot sale at the speedway, Jacobs said.
There was also the return to the programme of the Ashburton Car Club’s standing quarter mile race, and Regent Cinema Ashburton will have multiple screenings of the documentary film on Formula 1 world champion racer Sir Jackie Stewart from May 9 to 15.
Jacobs said the action continues on Mother’s Day (May 12) with plenty of offerings to entertain mum and/or the family.
The Property Brokers scooter race, the Ashburton Speedway car boot sale, Ashburton Aviation Museum is open, the Mid Canterbury 4X4 Club play day and the Regent Cinema Ashburton screening of Jackie Stewart.
‘‘I’m just hope the weather gods play ball … and we get a good turnout of spectators to these events including the (wheelchair) basketball at the basketball stadium (May 11), and the new events,’’ he said.
‘‘They are catering to a good range of age groups.’’
Jacobs said the programme was not possible with out the valued support of main sponsor Greg Donaldson Contracting. ‘‘They are very community orientated,’’ he said.
The final Sunday on the programme winds up with Ashburton Family Go Kart Club paddock racing, and Classics and Coffee at Lake Hood, being run in conjunction with Classic Boats on Lake Hood (all-May 19).
‘‘Anyone can bring their pride and joy whether it’s a tractor, car or motorbike, modern, classic or vintage.
‘‘It’s a free admission static display event.’’
Jacobs himself is personally involved in events during the programme including the car run, swap meet and said he will be getting round as many events as he can to support them.
There are a host of wheels related attractions running for the whole family including action on the speedway track (May 4-5), car motorkhana and TT racing (both May 5), a family fun bike ride and motorcycle road ride (both May 11).
There are also a number of displays, including all the wheels on show at the Ashburton Aviation Museum.
– For a full events programme go to www.wheelsweek.co.nz
