NEW ZEALAND MINI NATIONALS

Kiwi Mini owners gather for a weekend of fun in Tauranga

- Josh Kelly

During Labour weekend, which fell on 25-27 October, Minis from all over New Zealand converged on Tauranga for the 25th Mini Nationals, hosted by Tauranga Mini Owners Club Inc.

Based at Hotel Armitage, registration and socialising at the hotel were on Friday night. This was also an opportunity to view Denny Hulme’s 1960 Mini which was on loan from the Hulme family and on display in the hotel lobby. The carpark had a wash bay set up specifically for Minis where plenty of owners took advantage to get cars prepared for the Show and Shine. Minis taking part in Sunday’s hillclimb, were also scrutineered at PF Automotive.

On Saturday morning 224 Minis entered into the Show and Shine; a record for the Nationals. The show was held at the Cliff Road carpark, only a block away from the hotel. All sorts of Minis were entered into 10 classes – ranging from MkI Cooper S’s, daily drivers, brand new BMW MINIs and even very rare and special cars too. The ever-popular rocker cover racing featured again, which provided lots of laughs with plenty of well-decorated rocker covers entered.