The third annual one
day Auto Hop and fund raising event for the Newstead Model Country
School, it's students and many parts of the community, was held
for the first time at the Claudeland's
Show Grounds in Hamilton due to an estimate of 250 - 300 entries
for this year. Organisers Jenni Cartwright and Robyn Richardson
with plenty of helpers, supporters and exhibitors such as the
Auckland American Classic Car Club, Yankee Haulers (Morrinsville),
NSRA (National Street Rod Association), ATC (Airforce Training
Corp), Kiwiana, Andrews Entertainments, Junior Rock n' Roll
dancers, and the live band 'Tradesmen'. The music theme was from
the 50's / 60s Elvis era.
The history of the
Auto Hop event began in a much earlier time and era with Hot
Rodder enthusiast Byran Runciman of Matamata when his great
great grandfather donated the land located on SH 26, Morrinsville
Rd in the late 1800's which the school was built on. To raise
funds for the country school and the hundred or so students, the
idea of an Auto Hop was born. This event's been a huge success and
the winners for the Top Five 'All Class' winning entries and one
category for motorcycles were done by public and Rodder's vote on
the day.
1. Brian King
1936 yellow Ford,
2. Robyn
Humphries 1965 Mustang,
3. Chad Newport
1963 Caddy (entry 252),
4. John Martin
1953 F100 red Ford Truck,
5. Ian Neary 1959
Fairlane Retractable
6. Classic
Triumph (Mark Taylor)
In the past Brigit
hasn't photographed many Classic & Custom cars and with two main
events on the same day in Hamilton and Paeroa, she didn't know if
working with only one fully charged battery would cover both events.
She took the chance and with some tight time frames to work with
she got a nice range of photos before heading off to the Battle of the Streets in Paeroa
and more than happy she chose to attend both events. These events
will fall on the same day again next year so Brigit's more than
happy to do both to ensure she can get more of the races at Paeroa
than she covered this year. She did pretty good on both events for
someone to be in two places at once!!
There's also another
collection of photos from the Auto Hop which belong to Kelly
Young, another budding Kiwi girl photographer who's got that same
keen eye and style as Brigit. The best of Kelly's photos from the
Auto Hop will be put in an album in the gallery on behalf of Newstead Model Country School. You'll see
Kelly's images blended
with Brigit's photos in the music photo clip to provide a
nice overall coverage of the Auto Hop event for 2007. Well done
girls.
Many Thanks from
the Newstead School to Everyone and for the
awesome support from the Hot Rodders’ and car
enthusiasts because without them this event
wouldn’t be the success it is.
