Cruise Martinborough is coming back to town later this month, with organisers determined that even covid won’t put the brakes on the event.
More than 400 classic American cars, some of them a century old, will take to the roads around Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton during the four-day event that begins on January 26.
Event organiser Damien Pivac said there would be plenty to enjoy.
“The 1950s and ’60s American cars are everyone’s favourites.
“It’s always exciting to see the new cars come out – a car that’s been in a shed for 10 years, and the owner has done it up and painted it all shiny.”
Last year’s Cruise Martinborough was cancelled a week out due to covid, which Pivac said was disappointing.
“I felt bad for everyone. People come from as far away as Auckland and Bluff, and they’d booked accommodation and annual leave they couldn’t get back.”
The first Cruising event was held in 2014, with the 140-car fleet travelling to Mangatainoka – which in hindsight Pivac said was too lengthy a trip.
“There was a whole load of cars broke down on the way back.
“The first year, I was a bit naive about what was too far. We soon changed the schedule to locations within easier reach of Martinborough.”
Now, though, “the event is pretty established” and well received by spectators, including rest home residents who line the streets to wave at the passing fleet.
The past four outings have included more than just cars, with a drive-in movie and the ‘Miss Cruise’ beauty pageant adding some glamour, while entrants are asked to wear an outfit which “screams personality”.
Plans are already well underway for the event’s 10th anniversary next year.
Cruise Martinborough begins on Thursday, January 26 at 10am at Martinborough rugby grounds before travelling to Gladstone Inn.
