LAKELAND RALLY

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 17

LAKELAND RALLY

Nine Clubs Represented More than 150 rally drivers, crews and officials representing at least nine South Island car clubs will gather in Queenstown this weekend. They will arrive there on Saturday evening at the conclusion of the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts’ Club’s annual 400-mile 12-hour Lakeland rally. The event is one of the few to be held in New Zealand which has more than one starting point, and in this feature it bears a resemblance to such famous overseas events as the Monte Carlo rally. The 35 entrants will start from Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. Most of them—2o—will start in Christchurch, four will start from Dunedin, seven from Invercargill, and four from Oamaru.

The organisers are keeping the route a close secret, and all that is known is that the event will end in Queenstown and will include several types of navigation. There will be about 30 check-points and six sections. There will also be a photographic section, in which photographs will be used to assist navigation.

The five organisers have worked for more than six months, often until 4 a.m. in the morning, and travelled more than 2500 miles in mapping and checking the event. They estimate that between 300 and 400 hours’ work has been required. Many of the check-point marshals come from other clubs, and the organisers say they have had excellent support from clubmen volunteering to man checks. On the Sunday it is hoped to hold driving tests and a concours d’elegance, in which the appearance and condition of cars will be judged, but the weather may preclude this. The event is one of the major South Island rallies, and carries £4O in prize money, the Lakeland Trophy for the winner, and trophies for second and third placegetters. Once again the entrants include the Citroen ID sponsored by “The Press,” and this car will start from Christchurch.