Burma Rally draw card to Whanganui's Vintage Weekend

It was a Sunday drive like no other for the 81 participants in this years' Burma Rally.

The vintage car rally, now in its 60th year, has been a draw card for many attending Whanganui's annual Vintage Weekend.

Fiona McIvor was no exception. Buckled in with her mum in the front seat and two daughters in the back, she drove her late father's 1961 Morris Minor 1000.

"We've been doing the Burma Rally for a few years now and it's always good fun. Mum does the navigating and the girls seem to enjoy it," Ms McIvor said.

Jim O'Neill gives the Burma Rally route to Fiona McIvor in her 1960 Morris Minor 1000. Photo/ Bevan Conely

Gathering at Moutoa Gardens, the cars and motorcycles set track to Hunterville shortly after 9am and returned around noon.

Event organiser Linda O'Keeffe said although most were members of the Vintage Car Club, there were a few invited guests that took part.

"We had one guy come with his car from America, and the rest have travelled from all over New Zealand."

There were 13 different classes that drivers could enter in includingveteran cars, veteran motorcycles, vintage cars up to 2499cc, vintage cars up to 2500cc, post vintage cars, vintage motorcycles, post vintage motorcycles, post war cars, post war motorcycles, commercial vehicles, post 1960 vehicles, post 1980 vehicles and invited guests.

The winners of each class were announced at a prizegiving last night at the Laird Park Bowling Club in Whanganui.

Ms O'Keeffe said that the national presidents of Vintage Car Club New Zealand attended and drove in the rally.

"He will be presenting a 50 year membership badge to Bruce Ardell which is pretty prestigious."

Bruce Ardell with his 1928 Chevrolet National.