SECOND COMING
WELLY HARDPARK 2020
Hardpark is more than just a casual park up. Over the handful of years that it’s been running, it’s become an institution. Those in the know pencil in Wellington Anniversary weekend well in advance, knowing that the biggest event the capital city has to offer will be taking place. Its roots, however, go back way earlier than when Falgoon Patel and his Hardpark Organisational Team ( HOT) started hosting. The location, Lower Hutt’s Riverbank Car Park, has played host to countless park ups since the late 1990s. Like Hardpark, those early days … er, nights … also grew from small beginnings to countless hundreds of cars. The difference was that back in the dark old days there were plenty of skids and what the locals may describe as ‘antisocial behaviour’. Hardpark, though, held on Sunday, 19 January, had none of that. What it did have was an awesome variety of cars from all corners of the globe and a great vibe to match.
Jaysen Eveleigh’s Rocket Bunny– equipped FD had people confused, some even accusing him of copying ‘the blue one’, not realizing that this is indeed the blue one, which is now covered with an orange wrap
Following on from last year’s success, which saw the event depart from Riverbank Car Park over the Remutaka Hill to Masterton Motorplex for some burnouts mid afternoon, the HOT took that concept a step further this year. As the following day was a public holiday in the region, the event evolved to turn that into a dedicated burnout day, or afternoon at least.
Well before the event had officially begun, cars started rolling into Riverbank, mainly in groups or clubs, which had clearly decided to have a group presence, and arriving at the same time was the only way to ensure that members would be parked together.
Just like the drivers of the cars rolling in, police on the gate had the right attitude and were having a good laugh with many drivers, which was great to see. This is symbolic of the atmosphere of the event: no attitudes, no egos, everyone there for the right reasons, and taking the opportunity to prove to the public that car owners can be respectful. That respect has paid off, as the cars this year included not just the handful of muscle cars and the likes, but a few unexpected ones too, such as a group of late-model Ferraris, a few classics, and the occasional off-roader. The cars were left on display by their owners, engines on show, doors open, and with no sign of any inappropriate touching by passers-by. That mutual respect extended to the other 1000 or so cars in attendance — as the HOT counted via drone photos, making it clear that this has been the largest so far.
What’s interesting, for the older generation at least, who will remember the heyday of Riverbank Car Park’s night time antics, is how family oriented the event is, with many of the scene’s originals now there with their kids — and, in extreme cases, the kids having cars of their own on display.
Also throwing back was the cruise organized for Sunday night. While the HOT knew there was an element of risk to hosting such an event, thankfully, it went off without a hitch.
The burnouts also went off with just the right type of bang, as around 500 cars and 1100 spectators made the journey to Masterton Motorplex. While those brave enough to hit the tarmac were predominantly those who’d done it before, there was the occasional newcomer thrown in for good measure.
With how well the event ran, how diverse the cars were, and how good the vibe was, it should come as no surprise that plans are already under way for next year. There’s even talk of adding a few extra elements to it, which we’re sure will make it even better!