Americarna readies to rev up this week
This is the biggest Americarna to date. John Rae
Americarna event director
As Cyclone Gita roars toward New Zealand, more than 800 American car enthusiasts are revving up their classic treasures for an outdoor celebration.
Taranaki’s Americarna festival is due to kick-off its 11th year of all things red, white and blue on Tuesday - just in time for a bout of severe weather including high winds, heavy rain and big swells.
But despite the forecast, Americarna event director John Rae is maintaining a sunny outlook.
‘‘I’m happy to see the cyclone has moved south,’’ he said. ‘‘This is the biggest Americarna to date.’’
More than 500 American classics will be parked up at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Raceway on Tuesday as drivers register, shop and show off their prized motoring collection.
By 3pm Tuesday, a severe gale watch will be in place for Taranaki for the 10 hours until 1am Wednesday.
With 850 registered cars and American car enthusiasts visiting from the United States, Dubai, England and Australia, Rae believes this year’s event will be the best yet.
The official first day kicks off Wednesday morning when hundreds of cars cruise down the coast to Opunake for a Hawaiian style picnic.
However the coast might not be picturesque.
High winds will bring with it swells, which MetService said could lead to coastal inundation or flooding from backed-up rivers.
Coupled with heavy bouts of rain throughout the day and into Thursday will likely decrease turnout, Rae said.
‘‘What happens with the rain is 100-plus cars won’t show up.
‘‘It’s not fun in the rain. And the fundraisers and the people and the school kids who stand outside and wave - it affects them too,’’ he said.
‘‘It is what it is. I don’t even want to think about the weather.’’
Luckily enough for Americarna drivers and street side supporters, a break in the stormy clouds is forecast for Friday - the longest day of the American-themed event.
Dressed in 1950’s garb drivers will tour through Stratford, Ha¯ wera, Kaponga and Manaia.
‘‘We’ve put the Kapuni production station on the road map this year, just to change the scenery for the drivers,’’ Rae said.
Then it’s back to New Plymouth for the famed Mangorei Rd street party. And rain or shine, Rae said: ‘‘We’re looking forward to it all.’’
Currently located over the Tasman Sea, Cyclone Gita is expected downgrade to a category two as it travels toward New Zealand.
Once it reaches the Tasman Sea, MetService said the storm should transform into ‘‘an extratropical cyclone’’, or ‘‘a large but very intense and severe area of low pressure’’.
The cyclone remnants will whip through central New Zealand Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and potential flooding.
‘‘And because of that, we already have some severe weather watches in place,’’ MetService said.