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Muscle car fans love their cars and even the nasty weather at Richmond New Zealand couldn't keep muscle car enthusiasts from coming out to see their favorite vehicles at the Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular on February 23 and 24 at the Richmond A and P Show Grounds. Peter Van Humm, the Nelson Holden Club secretary said, "The true enthusiast will come out rain, hail or snow." It certainly proved true as the show was a rousing success, in spite of weather that brought heavy rain.
Muscle car fans love their cars and even the nasty weather at Richmond New Zealand couldn't keep muscle car enthusiasts from coming out to see their favorite vehicles at the Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular on February 23 and 24 at the Richmond A and P Show Grounds. Peter Van Humm, the Nelson Holden Club secretary said, "The true enthusiast will come out rain, hail or snow." It certainly proved true as the show was a rousing success, in spite of weather that brought heavy rain. Among the large variety of cars that were involved in the successful show were Datsuns, Morris Minors, Mustangs and Chryslers. The people's choice prize was awarded to a mint condition 1967 red ford Mustang. According to Van Humm, a highlight if the car show was an appearance by David Parsons. Parsons ha been a co driver of Peter Brock during the last time the late Australian driving legend won at Bathhurst. Parsons spent time talking to racing fans, signing autographs and conducting a motor building workshop. Van Humm said another highlight was an engine blowing contest and a tire testing contest. The engine blowing contest pitted drivers who revved old car engines at their peak until the engines gave up and destroyed themselves. The tire testing competition had cars doing tire burnouts. Karl Tompson tested the tires on his 1976 Holden SS Torana. He said that he usually keeps $350 tires on his car, but swapped them out for free tires at the show prior to the tire testing competition. In spite of the dangerous appearance, Tompson said it was perfectly safe to compete in the Tire Burning competition because the cars were held in place on a concrete slab to keep them from shooting off into the crowd. "It's a bit of fun really,” Tompson said. Tompson wore down the tires on his car until the steel belts were clearly visible and hanging out of the sides, but Tompson said he was very careful not to pop the belts out of the tire, which could damage the body of the car. In addition to the people choice competition, engine destruction competition and tire testing competition, the Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular. Had more conventional prize categories. There were prizes awarded for the best American muscle car as well as prizes for the winner and runner up in the best Australian car category, the best British European category and prizes for the best Classic car with little to no modifications. The Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular also welcomed entries from classic motorcycles, modified vehicles and street machines, as well as an overall judge based best in show proze. More than one hundred cars were on display during the Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular. And it brought people in from all over Australia. The Nelson Classic and Muscle Car Spectacular is held annually at the Richmond A and P Show Grounds and always draws a large crowd. Plans and sponsorships are already being made for next year's show. |
