National MG Rally Auckland Convoy 2010

National MG Rally 2010 Christchurch - March 28 – April 1 2010

Auckland Convoy - 24-28 March The dates of the next National Rally, which will be based in Christchurch, will be 28th March - 1st April. Details are featured HERE. Note, and contrary to the comments in the flier from Canterbury Centre, there will not be an Easter Rally on the North Island 2010. Plans for the Auckland Centre convoy run down to the rally have developed considerably over the last few months with a number of members already registering interest and making their accommodation and Cook Strait ferry crossings. It is not too late to register your interest and be sent all the up-to-date details, including accommodation providers and Bluebridge ferry discount codes. Once you have registered you will be kept in informed of the plans as they further develop. Expressing your interest does not, in any way, commit you at this stage although accommodation is filling up fast. The Registration Of Interest link is at the bottom of this page. Itinerary The route to Christchurch allows for optional roads to be travelled, as for the Centre's convoy to Wanaka in 2006, and will hopefully take members to places on the South Island some will not have been to before. There will be a Driver's Briefing every morning, before departure, and a Happy Hour in the evening, followed by a meal.
Day	Details
Day 1, 24 March	The Auckland Convoy will depart from the Autobahn in Papakura after meeting at 10am for a driver's briefing. The leisurely hour is so those who have to travel through Auckland City do not get their nerves frazzled before the trip even starts. The plotted route will be via Pirongia, Te Kuiti, Taumaranui, National Park and Raetihi for an overnight stop in Wanganui. Members from outside of Auckland and north of Wanganui can join in the run on the way . There'll be a "Getting to know you" group dinner in the evening. First night - Wanganui
Day 2, 25 March	We drive from Wanganui to Wellington and meet up with Wellington members at the ferry terminal for the early afternoon Bluebridge sailing to Picton and from there to Blenheim. Second night - Blenheim
Day 3, 26 March	Blenheim to Hanmer Springs for the night. There are several routes available including via Kaikoura or alternatively via the Nelson Lakes area. The Molesworth Station is an option but in view of the Concours on arrival in Christchurch some may not be too keen on this - see Post Rally options below. Third night Hanmer Springs
Day 4, 27 March	From Hanmer Springs over the Lewis Pass to Cape Foulwind and overnight in Greymouth. There are at least three routes available for drivers to choose from. Many of the group who were on the Wanaka Convoy in 2006 are keen to return to Tauranga Bay for lunch. Fourth Night - Greymouth
Day 5, 28 March	To Christchurch via Lake Brunner, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass to Lake Coleridge and detours to the head waters of the Wilberforce and Rakaia Rivers - NZ wilderness and scenery at its very best. From there head on to Christchurch for Rally Registration late that afternoon. Alternatively you might like to take part in the Monte Carlo Rally that the Canterbury people have organised. This will require some organising on your part to plan your route. Nights 5-8 at Rally Hotel in Christchurch.

Fast Track Option - 26-28 March A fast track option is in the Convoy plans. It will depart Auckland on Friday March 26th with an early afternoon Cook Strait crossing on the Saturday and an overnight stop somewhere south of Blenheim on Saturday night.

Post Rally Options After the farewell breakfast on April 1st the Auckland group will be splitting up and while some people will want to 'do their own thing', others will appreciate travelling with like-minded MG owners. Warbirds over Wanaka A number of people have indicated they will be carrying on to Warbirds over Wanaka and Sue Martin has plotted a route to and from Wanaka, returning to the North Island on Wednesday 7th April. Akaroa A number of people have expressed interest in heading out to the beautiful Akaroa Peninsula after Easter. Geoff and Vicky Broadhead are also heading out to the peninsula. If enough people are interested Geoff will see if it is worth his while organising anything for a group. Molesworth Station The Acheron road through Molesworth Station is open until April 5 this year however some people are still planning to drive it on April 1 as originally planned leaving Christchurch after the Farewell Breakfast, lunching in Hanmer, then get on to the gravel in the afternoon. It may be quieter than on the Easter Weekend days. The section through Molesworth is 59 kilometres and takes two hours of careful driving before following the Awatere River back to SH1. The overnight stop will be in Blenheim. Farewell Spit If you would like to meet up in Collingwood on the evening of Monday 5th April, a group of us are heading off on the 6am tour to Farewell Spit the following morning. (Unfortunately due to tides, the tour cannot operate during Easter.) The tour arrives back in Collingwood for lunch, then we'll be travelling back to Marlborough to meet up with Sue Martin's Post Rally Wanaka tour group and to catch the ferry back to the North Island the next day (Wednesday). Please click HERE to register your interest if you haven't already done so. There is room to make comments on the booking form. Sue Courtney Convoy Organiser Email neilandsue@clear.net.nz