This year's Ariel Rally was one of the best. Here is a report from Shorty Cole:
After all the Covid related cancelations, hold ups etc, our rally finally got out of the starting blocks.
Based at Massey University’s Rugby institute in Palmerston North, the riders gathered from 12.00 noon for checking in and a quick catch up. They received the key to the accommodation, along with their rally pack/bag full of goodies, books, sweets pen, cleaning cloths, handle bar/lever gaiters and much more.
It was then a case of follow the leader, Shorty on his Trials replica Royal Enfield out to Rongatea to Peter and Jennifer Thompson’s private collection of all makes, types and specials of motorcycles.
Some fun was had with a 1937 Ariel 500 which was offered to anyone who wanted to have a ride except that the axles on the front and rear wheels had been slightly modified off centre to make the bike go up and down as it was ridden. Going fast was impossible!
Meanwhile, a very understanding pig had thoughtfully donated itself to our cause and was cooking along all afternoon in a fully enclosed spit BBQ, this along with the spuds and veg’s ensured everyone had enough to eat that night.
While this was cooking, everyone dined on chocolate cake, beers juice. At one stage I thought I might move in! Thanks to Peter and Jennifer for all the hard work and effort, and what an amazing collection of bikes well represented by Ariels.
Saturday, after a rider’s brief, it was out to Pohongia, over to Apiti for lunch,
then a look at Murray Whitehead’s MG’s, boats, racing Anglia, before heading to the “Castle”.
The Castle is appropriately named; here we were met by Rene Redmond, an ex-RNZAF Mechanic, who over collects aircraft motors and the like. We were given a very interesting talk on the known history of these motors.
Pictured is a 7-cylinder Cheeta Radial, which had not been run for many years, was started for us. What loverly sounding engine, and a credit to Rene and Tarquin and their helpers to maintain and endure that these pieces of history are kept.
The next engine to be started was a Rolls Royce jet as fitted the RNZAF Strikemaster, and other similar aircraft. Nobody will complain about how much fuel their car uses ever again after seeing the tank level disappearing while not even being run flat out! And that’s not to mention the noise level!
After this visit all was all back to a well-deserved drink. A really lovely meal put on by the Massey Sports Centre was followed by the AGM and the prize-giving.
Best Single - Jack Chappel-1954 500 Most Original - Daryl Nitschke WNG 350
Best Twin - RobertYoung-1948 500KH Best Sidevalve -1935 550 Rhys Harold
Special - Roger Wright-1937 500 Best Square Four - Mike Hardmen -1938
Hard luck - John Hayman-FH 650 Furthest Ridden-Graeme Crawley 650 Huntmaster
Our thanks to the staff at Massy for ensuring that this rally went smoothly and was problem free. Also thank you to all the helpers who chipped in and helped to ensure that the rally was a success.