Confronting a misconception

Matt Sutton, Fenton Murray, Daniel McKay, and Joshua Waterson with their cars. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

They're coming over the Kaimais en masse to put right a few misconceptions about car enthusiasts.

They call themselves car enthusiasts; their detractors call them boy racers.

Anthony Valvoi is an enthusiast and he will lead the Kaimai convoy in a very rowdy, highly modified racer which constantly attracts the attention of the police.

'We have been getting a lot of stick from the police and the public recently. So we want to let people know that not all car enthusiasts are bad.”

They hope to show us a few bad apples have spoiled the barrel 'by doing skids, doing 300km/hr, driving illegal cars and not following the rules”.

'Not all of us are like that,” says Anthony. ”Most enthusiasts follow the rules and are willing to contribute to the community.”

So the enthusiasts are going to back their words with deeds and hold a charity fundraiser by holding a 'massive car cruise and park up”.

'We will gather in Hamilton where everyone, including Auckland drivers and patrons, will be asked to make a gold coin donation to the Cancer Society.”

Then they'll drive across the Kaimais to a meet-point with other enthusiasts in Tauranga. It's across the bridge to Oceanbeach Road for a charity auction perhaps, and a sausage sizzle run by the Lions Club. Then they'll can hang, talk and ogle modified cars for the rest of the afternoon.

'Last year here was a huge turnout of 400 cars and 1000 spectators.” They raised $2000, and are bigger and better this year.

'The Cancer Society is on board with buckets and balloons. Perhaps we might get twice as many cars as last year. Bring your cars, some goodwill and a gold coin.”

The cruise controller runs a 1978 Mitsubishi Lancer. It has a 12a rotary engine. 'Of course it's not the factory engine.” It has a new gearbox, and the whole interior has been re-trimmed, all-new wheels, new suspension and paint job.

'Everything is absolutely new,” he boasts.

This not just a car, it's a major investment of time and money – three years and $30,000-plus dollars, money which will never be recouped. So why not go out and buy a new car off the lot?

'It's an experience and learning that will never go away. It's kind of an investment in how to do things – how to fabricate engine mounts, gear box mounts, what needs to be changed and how it has to be done legally and safely. And its heaps of fun.”

Anthony says this is the positive stuff the public doesn't get to hear about. 'I finish work and I crawl off into the garage to do stuff. It's my second home.”

He's a natural team leader – running a car club, running a 'massive cruise” and fundraising. When he's at work, he's also a team leader.

'I am a sterile services technician at Waikato Hospital,” someone who cleans and sterilises used surgical instruments and other medical supplies so they can be redistributed and reused. 'I'm a senior tech, so I do all the training of new staff and existing staff.”

The Massive Cruise for modified car enthusiasts and charity auction is on Saturday, October 31, starting at Hamilton Rose Gardens at 10am, leaving for Tauranga 10.30am.

There's a meet point behind the Tauriko BP at noon leaving for the Mount at 12.30pm. Charity auction at 1.30pm. All proceeds go to the Cancer Society.

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