What was a Corvette has been converted to a three-wheel
motorcycle. Laurie and Audrey Uren, of Christchurch, bring
the $25,000 creation with its Chevrolet 350 V8 engine to
the March Hare motorcycle rally in Waimate yesterday. Photo
by David Bruce.
Motorcycles of all shapes, sizes and costs were heading
for Waimate yesterday in what organisers hope will be the
biggest March Hare rally in the 24 years it has been running.
The rally started out as a birthday party at the Waihao Forks
Hotel with a few mates and has grown to become the biggest in
the South Island.
Next year, it celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special
rally that is being kept under wraps by March Hare Motorcycle
Club president Craig Rowley.
Last year, about 3000 motorcyclists set a record attendance.
This year, Mr Rowley is expecting even more if the weather
holds.
"Our pre-bookings were up 10% on last year, so this year
could be bigger," he said as the first riders started to
arrive yesterday morning.
The event gives a big economic boost to Waimate and its
surrounding district.
Most stay at the rally's venue, the Waimate Showgrounds, but
hotels, motels and camping grounds are booked out as well.
Mr Rowley estimates tens of thousands of dollars is poured
into the community during the weekend.
Apart from that spent in the town - many businesses gear up
especially, including one hotel which does more than 100
breakfasts - clubs also use it for fund-raising.
The rally's entertainment starts with a band tonight, then
tomorrow afternoon includes games.
The "toss the March hare" has been dropped as "it's not PC
these days" - but there is a gumboot throwing contest based
on accuracy rather than strength.
Other competitions involve the motorcycles, from the best
bikes in 10 different classes through to motorcycle musical
chairs and prick the balloon, with the pillion passenger
holding a toothpick between his or her teeth.
The rally is open to the public today.
The motorcyclists start to leave from 6pm tomorrow.
- david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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