Weather keeps crowds away

Rain in both Wellington and Palmerston North at the weekend put a real dampener on the Masterton Motorplex fast fours and rotaries meet on Saturday.
Events organiser Bob Wilton said the crowd turnout was down by two-thirds due to bad weather in the centres that attract much of the support for Masterton events.
So while those who did turn up had a great day in Wairarapa sunshine, the "gate" was hard hit.
Sixty cars faced the starter on Saturday, competing in C21 (4WD turbo), C22 (2WD turbo) and C23 (all in) classes.
C23 was won by Colin Bunney, of Carterton, followed by James Rollinson, of Levin, and Richard Lay, of Napier.
The C22 honours went to Thomas Costello, of Palmerston North, with Nick Reiri, (who featured on this page last week) second and Paul Branch, of Levin, third.
C21 went to Dave Duncan, of Otaki, with Matt Christensen, of Palmerston North, and Cam Garthwaite, of Wainuiomata, hot on his heels.
Sunday was test and tune day for the V8s, with one of the top speeds registered being 195mph by Bert King, of Upper Hutt, in the Tui rail. This alcohol-fueled screamer, one of 75 cars that participated, will be back for the next big meeting at Hood on December 1 and 2. This event is the Mitre 10/PPG Central Nationals.
That will be followed by the MMP Christmas competition meet on December 29 30.
The New Year gets off to a flier with the Trust House 40th New Zealand nationals on February 2 and 3, when the top cars from throughout the country will converge on Masterton.