CLUB CORNER
ANOTHER MODERN CLASSIC
The Mazda MX5 Club of New Zealand was formed in 1992, not long after the first MX-5 appeared on New Zealand shores. It caters for all four models of the car, from the original NA with the pop-up headlights to the latest ND model. Around 400 members, in 13 regional groups, cover the country from Bluff to Kaitaia. The number of cars in each region varies with the population, but ranges from around 150 in the northern region, which includes Auckland, down to just a few in less populated areas. Each region has a coordinator to facilitate organizing events for that area. The types of events are wide-ranging but most would involve a drive over winding country roads, which are ideally suited to the excellent handling characteristics of the MX-5, ending up at an eatery or a place of interest.
While most runs are just a half or one day, multi-day, and even multi-week, events are also held. At the other end of the scale, just getting together for a cup of coffee is quite popular. Members are encouraged to get involved in events run in other regions, broadening their circle of Mx-5-owning acquaintances and hopefully experiencing new roads and scenery. At a national level, the club runs the annual Driver Training Day, designed to give members, particularly those new to their MX-5, an opportunity to drive on a race track and experience the capabilities of their cars under conditions not possible on public roads.
Typical of most car clubs, it provides its members with financial benefits by way of discounts on parts, servicing, and insurance, as well as access to a vast store of technical knowledge about the cars. It has a very close relationship with Mazda New Zealand, which supports many of the larger events such as the Driver Training Day.
The club has a magazine, Topdown, which is published six times a year and includes reports on the regional runs and events, global MX-5 news, and advertisements for companies offering specialist MX-5 parts and services.
Even though the MX5 Club of New Zealand is small by world standards, it can lay claim to some world firsts. For a short time, the club was the holder of the world record for the greatest number of MX-5S assembled in one place and, to the best of the club’s knowledge, was the first to convert a third-generation (NC) model to V8 power. One of the club’s members is the proud owner of an NB Coupe, of which only 200 were built.
The club prides itself on the camaraderie that exists between its members. There is none of the my-car-is-better-than-yours attitude that unfortunately plagues some car clubs. We would encourage any MX-5 owner who enjoys driving and company to check out the club’s website: mx5club.co.nz.