Social Run    Papakura to Rangiriri & Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

                                                        Sunday 31 August 2008

 Blessed with a fine but cool spring like day ( just as well it wasn't the Sunday before) 40 mainly MGs' plus 2 from the Waikato & 2 from the Bay of Plenty ( these four met us at Rangiriri) set out for a 200km run (return) into the Waikato featuring the Waikato Land Wars Historical sites plus a visit to the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.

Our journey from Papakura took us through Pukekohe East and included a stop at the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church where on the 14 September 1863 Maori Warriors attacked the church defended by settlers. Six Maori are buried in the special grave memorial site.The Club provided a suitable donation to the church as it was open for members viewing.

We passed through Buckland & Tuakau visiting the Alexander Redoubt Historic Reserve and Owens Reserve.

At Whangamarino Historic Reserve (Orams Road) we visited the Redoubt built by General Cameron in the 1860s.

Our drive included the township of Meremere (ex coal burning power station) now a Refuse Recycle Station ( the old chimneys have gone). The pre 56 group & others enjoyed a Gravel option approaching Rangiriri.

Lunch was at the Heritage Gift Shoppe Tea Rooms & included an optional DVD presentation of the Maori Land Wars fought in the area in the early 1860s.

On then to the partially completed Hampton Downs Motorsport Park which includes apartments & commercial business/ industrial areas. We inspected the completed residential apartments (60) which overlook the track.It will be another 2 years at least before the track is completed. The Park will support two tracks in use at the same time. The MG Club hope to make use of the facilities when completed.The track will be licensed for races up to but not including Formula One.The buildings are clearly seen from SH 1. Overall a truly ambitious project.Her Majesty's Prison (sorry Correction Facility) is further down this Hampton Downs Road.

Altogether a well organized well supported day enjoyed in true spring like conditions.

Peter Crawford   

Run plotted by Kim Walker and Sue Courtney.

Check out the Attendance List HERE.