Wanganui Vintage Car Club captain Jim O'Neill promised "bloody heaps" of gravel roads for the club's rally yesterday.
The last two summer rallies were on sealed roads, but the route Mr O'Neill chose for yesterday morning was known only to him and two others.
Before the 71 cars set off, he promised this rally would be different - 165km, mainly on gravel, with very little cellphone coverage.
"If you break down, for God's sake stay with your car."
Asked about toilets, he paused. "I can tell you there's a hell of a lot of bush on the way, so you will be all right."