UK class meets American muscle

MY editorial in last weekend’s

Drivesouth bemoaning the impact of roadworks on everyday driving around the region seems to have struck a chord with many readers.

Having a grizzle about something motoringrelated, whether it be our roads or the poor habits and skills of fellow drivers, is something I try to do sparingly in this column. So when I do so, it’s usually a sign that I am well worked up.

A trip to Melbourne this past week has provided me with some respite. Before that, I must say that some most enjoyable Labour Weekend touring with likeminded enthusiasts has also been a welcome tonic in my motoring life.

The group I hooked up with last weekend were RollsRoyce and Bentley enthusiasts, and as coincidence would have it, we found ourselves in the company of a large group of American muscle car enthusiasts at one point over the weekend, travelling from Middlemarch to Dunedin. With close to half of the RollsRoyce and Bentley cars on tour being powered by largecapacity V8 engines, there was more common ground with American vehicles than one might imagine, and plenty of cheery waves were exchanged as we all went about the business of enjoying motoring for the sheer fun of it.

Sticking with positive news, in this weekend’s Drivesouth we welcome back Catherine Pattison (Cat) to our editorial team. She will be picking up where she left off a couple of months back, covering local motoring events (including motorsport), catching up with local motoring identities and maintaining a bit of a diary of upcoming motoring events in the lower South Island.

Those wanting to have an event included in our Drivesouth diary are welcome to contact Cat at catherine.pat tison@odt.co.nz or by phone on

027 4455389.