SCHOOL-YARD DREAMS

MANY SCHOOL KIDS HAVE DREAMED OF FIELDS OF CARS, BUT, FOR ONE LUCKY PARAPARAUMU SCHOOL, IT’S AN ANNUAL REALITY!

The guys and girls at Gear Jammers Rod and Muscle Car Club are a pretty easy-going bunch, but, once a year, things get serious for them — and that’s in the organization of their big annual event. This year’s show, held on March 18 at Kapiti Primary School, went by the name of ‘All Fired Up’ and graced every metre of the school field. Over the past few years, the laid-back gathering has cemented itself as a ‘must-attend’ if you’re anywhere near the lower North, and now, having been there ourselves, we totally understand why. The format is simple: either rock up when you please, or join in the cruise from Southward Car Museum, park up with your mates, roll out the picnic blanket if you’re that way inclined, talk shit, look at cars, and enjoy. Of course, you can always also partake in the various raffles, enter in rocker-cover racing, or throw the kids on the back of a pickup for some laps of the field, if any of that takes your fancy. The ever-popular retro fashion show is another great way to waste away the day, and entrant numbers were high this year, both for adults and kids. That wasn’t the only on-stage action, though, with a band playing some good old-fashioned tunes throughout the day, adding to the already cruisy atmosphere. Come midday, things were set to change, with a mass fire-up — although it seemed most were happy just to keep their engines off while they enjoyed the day. With such a huge turnout of cars, it took hours to get around the venue to see them all. In fact, if the event gets any larger, the club may need to look at an alternative, larger venue — and, judging by the feedback on the day, it’s definitely set to get bigger. We’re sure, though, that the Gear Jammers team will take it all in their stride and rise to the occasion.