Cruising 5453km of NZ’s roads
The streets of Taupo may look like they’ve been transported back in time with about 20 classic cars coming to town as part of the inaugural Haka Classic Rally.
Twenty-two classic and prewar cars will cruise over 5000km of New Zealand’s roads as they take on the Haka Classic Rally. The 5453km route from Auckland to Christchurch will take 26 days.
It is the first event that the United Kingdom based group The Rally Round, has hosted in New Zealand.
The oldest car to be entered into the rally is a 1926 Bentley 3 Litre while the youngest is a 1990 Mercedes-Bens 220a.
The Haka Classic is designed to be more than just a competition for vintage and classic cars, although there will be plenty of exciting challenges for the rally experts and novices alike as they follow a carefully planned route on thrilling roads and get in touch with some of New Zealand’s motorsport history.
The organising group is based in the UK and many of the entrants bring their international crews with them. Entrants come from Europe; Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, the Netherlands, Great Britain, United States of America, Canada and Australia.
New Zealand’s charm and beauty inspired the Haka Classic. The rally will start in Auckland on October 31 before they make their way to Hamilton, then on to Rotorua.
Day three will see them leaving Rotorua when they will drive 27km to the ‘Craters of the Moon’, Wai-O-Taupo. Excitement of a different nature is to be found at their next destination, the nearby Taupo Motorsport Park, where the drivers can enjoy one of four track setups.
Route planner, Rhys Nolan, said anyone in Taupo with a classic car was welcome to drive along to Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park to meet those involved in the rally.
‘‘The drivers love seeing the old cars. Even hot rods,’’ Nolan said.
With the Taupo leg being only 146km, day four will see them embark on a 500km journey to Palmerston North.
They will also travel to Wellington, Blenhiem, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Nelson, Golden Bay, Punakaiki, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Gore, Dunedin, Cromwell, Tekapo, and Christchurch.