V8 drivers cruise in
Shannon was a hive of activity last Sunday as it opened all its doors to travellers on the steam train to Woodville as well as the women taking part in the Annual Women’s V8 cruise.
The Ladies in Pink, a bunch of women V8 drivers from the Wellington area, cruised through Horowenua last Sunday to raise awareness of breast cancer. They stopped briefly at Levin’s Adventure Park and arrived in Shannon at the same time as the steam train expedition to Woodville.
The train was brought into town by loc Ja1271, built by New Zealand Railways in 1956. It can reach speeds of up to 70 miles/ hour. In Shannon the locomotive took on fresh water, needed to cool the engine while its passengers poured out of its seven carriages to take photos, visit the Shannon museum, peruse the local shops and take on refreshments.
Of the proud female V8 drivers, quite a few have big American-made muscle cars.
Many of the drivers and their passengers were decked out in pink. Driver and car owner Tracey from Wellington Rodders said she fell in love with V8 muscle cars at her own wedding, where several such cars were in her wedding party.
Her light green car, with Italian leather on the inside, is often used for weddings and funerals.
Teiria Tarei from Waunuiamata’s car is purple with orange/red flames painted on the front. “Once you are on the highway it is smooth driving. It is a bit tough in town as it is a big car without power steering.”
She’s only had the car for four months. Though it looked very big, she said it does fit into a standard garage.