chronicle 2014ccvcwellington.wildapricot.org/resources/documents...epuni motors 1987 ltd 2 - 6...

Page 1 - CCVC, four wheeling in the capital since 1971! www.ccvc.org.nz

The Official Magazine of

The Cross Country Vehicle Club (Wellington) Inc PO Box 38-762, Te Puni 5045, Wellington

The club meets at 7:30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the

Cross Country Chronicle

April 2014

Page 2 - CCVC, four wheeling in the capital since 1971!

Please support our generous sponsors...


WHEN HELP IS NEEDED Should any members fail to return from any outing, four wheel drive or otherwise, whether as a club member or as a private individual, the fol-

lowing person/s should be contacted in the first instance:

Anthony Reid 973 8262 or 027 273 6579 or 021 061 1831

Morris Jury 566 6197 or 021 629 600

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS This is your magazine so it can only be as good as the contributions you make!! We need any articles, trip reports,

technical items, “How-to’s”, etc to be in the hands of the editor by the end of each calendar month. Please email to [email protected] or post to 34a Hine Rd, Wainuiomata or fax to 04 914 8366.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the club, it’s executive or committee members. Publication of main-tenance techniques or mechanical modifications should be weighed against generally accepted procedures and the Club should not be considered an authority in this area.

The mention of products, service procedures or service organisations herein does not constitute endorsement by the Club, the Cross Country Chronicle or it’s Editor.

Table

of Contents

Cover Top Hutt (Sth Canterbury / Otago way)

P. 3 Help, Index, Safety Inspectors

P. 4 Upcoming National Events

P. 5 Committees,

P. 7 Presidents Piece

P. 8 AGM Notice

P. 9 South Island Trip report

P. 12 CCVC 2014 Awards night

P. 14 4x4 Brass Monkey Trip

P. 18 Club Trips - Apr, May & June

P. 19 Trip Categories

Vehicle Inspectors

Dayal Landy Gold Coast Mechanical

2 Epiha St, Paraparaumu Ph. 04 902 9244

Antony Hargreaves

Epuni Motors 1987 Ltd 2 - 6 Hawkins St, Lower Hutt Ph. 04 569 3485

Dave Bowler Pete Beckett

Bowler Motors Ltd 11 Raiha St, Porirua Ph. 04 237 7251

Grant Guy G Guy Motors 61-63 Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Ph. 04 472 2020

Carl Furniss

Wellington 4WD Specialists 26 Hawkins Street, Lower Hutt Ph. 04 976 5325

Shane & Carl Mendoza Mechanical 34 Goodshed Road, Upper Hutt

Ph. 04 527 7274

NB: Please remember to call and make an appointment before turning up for an inspection!


Some details in this column appear courtesy of Cathy Parker, publisher of the New Zealand 4WD and Sportvehicles magazine. Potential participants should contact the event organiser; CCVC cannot take responsibility for any changes or inadvertent inaccuracies.

Apr 13: Hawarden Waikari Lions 4WD Safari 2

To ‘The End of the Road’; Travel through the scenic hill country of Mt Virginia and Mt Whitnow Stations as well

as the Seaward River Valley. Panoramic views of the head waters of the Waitohi River and the unique Bush

Retreat. High clearance vehicles and treaded tyres only. Assemble at Mt Virginia on the Virginia Road. Sign

posted from Hawarden (30 minutes). Leaving at 10.00 am Finishing approx 3:00pm B.Y.O LUNCH $20.00

Adults, $5 Child CANCELLATIONS OVER NEWSTALK ZB. For further information: Rod McKay 027 232 5189 or

03 314 4151; Dave 027 435 4471 or 03 314 4142

Apr 18-21: Zuki Central 2014

Hosted by the CCVC Club Wellington. Zuki Central is for Suzuki owners 4WD Driving in some of the best ter-

rain the lower North Island has to offer. Join like minded Suzuki owners and see how great Suzuki's are. Dif-

ferent day trips for the different classes of Suzuki vehicles and drivers. 1 day registration packages avail-

able. Suitable for all Suzuki’s from standard to modified, novice drivers to the hard-core. Full details available

at www.4wdonline.co.nz or email [email protected]

Apr 19: National Trials Round 6 (& Final)

Hosted by Counties 4 Wheelers.

Apr 26: Mainland Trophy - Teams Event

A teams event of 3 vehicles per team, using challenging and scenic tracks around the Nelson area. All vehi-

cles required to have full a winch, registration, WoF, and minimum 3rd party insurance. For full details please

see www.mainlandwinchchallenges.co.nz

May 17: Teams Tour de Whanga

This is an event aimed at the experienced safari guys with a tuff truck mate or for well set up 4x4 trucks. It is

along the lines of the January event but staged on more challenging tracks that will require at least 1 winch

per team. Each team will be required to complete a set number of stages during the day with points deducted

for failure to get all 3 trucks to a stage end. To be held in Matariki Forest blocks organised by Whangamata

4WD Club.

May 31-Jun 02: Mainland Winch Challenge Round 1

Top of the South Island event is being held in Nelson. Usual classes with requirements as per Mainland Chal-

lenge Series rules. See mainlandwinchchallenges.co.nz for more details.

Jul 04-06: Mainland Winch Challenge Round 2

Mainland Winch Challenge Series to be held at Oxford. Limited to 40 vehicles with scrutineering and night

stages Friday night. All vehicle classes with a “Clubman B” invitational class included. All vehicles to have

registration and WoF except Outlaw. Accommodation on site as normal for a small fee to cover costs. See

mainlandwinchchallenges.co.nz for more details.

July 18-20: Possum Palace Winch Challenge

Held at Omana, Northland. Approximately 2.5 hours from Auckland between Whangarei and Dargaville. To be

run under 4x4 Challenges rules with all classes eligible and if enough interest there will be a UTV class as

well. All competitors (drivers & co-drivers) need to be members of the NZFWD Association. Proof of 3rd party

insurance must be provided. Camping available on site and hot showers are to be provided on site. Cost for

the event is $280.00. For further details contact Andrew Gibson: email [email protected] or

phone 021 029 85475 or Caleb Thompson: email [email protected] or Phone 027 683 4327.

Aug 01-02: Mainland Winch Challenge Round 3

Round 3 of the Mainland Winch Challenge Series to be held at Ceder Creek, Dunedin. Limited to 40 vehicles

with scrutineering and night stages Friday night. All vehicle classes with a “Clubman B” invitational class in-

cluded. All vehicles to have registration and WoF except Outlaw. See mainlandwinchchallenges.co.nz for more

details.

And further ahead:

05-06 Sept 2014 Mainland Winch Challenge Round 4

03-04 Oct 2014 Mainland Winch Challenge Round 5

14-16 Nov 2014 NZ1 Winch Challenge

Upcoming National Events

http://www.4wdonline.co.nz%20%20/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


Club Sub-Committees The club has the following sub committees running currently (convenor named first, where applicable):

60k: Terence Broad, Ron Johnson, Bruce Mulhare, John Vruink, Mark Wolstenholme Club Recovery: Anthony Reid, Morris Jury Community Response Group: Steve Mercer, John Parfitt, Grant Purdie, Mike Murphy, Neil Blackie

Competition: Neil Blackie Deadwood: Paul Adams Safety: Murray Taylor, Carl Furniss, Peter King

Trip Leaders Forum: Steve Mercer, All trip leaders Touring Class Membership: John Parfitt, Murray Taylor, Ian Hutchins, Ger van Hees Web Project: Murray Wills, Grant Purdie, Stefen Cook, John Parfitt, Mike Stevens

The club also has the following external organisation liaison people:

Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee: Ralph Dobson, Dave DeMartin Foxton Beach Coast Care: Bruce Mulhare, Grant Purdie, John Vruink

Friends of Belmont: Roger Seymour Greater Wellington Regional Council: President / Club Captain Horowhenua District Council: Grant Purdie

Tread Lightly!: Ralph Dobson Wellington City Council: Barry Insull


CLUB RADIO CALL SIGNS The Club uses a series of radio call signs in the Kxxx series to meet our licence requirements. Once you get on a trip you soon know what call sign is tail end charlie etc for the day. But basically if you don’t yet have a Call Sign you are not

authorised to use the Club radio licence. Call signs are available to financial members on request to [email protected]

So if you have purchased a suitable radio for CCVC use, make sure you get a call sign allocated.

CCVC Life Members

Tom Adams Graham Barr George Bean (Deceased) Leith Bean Peter Boniface (Deceased)

Stuart Brown Andy Cockroft Owen Farghar Mike Gall John Hughes

Bob Jeffery (Deceased) Heather Jeffery Ron Johnson Steve Lacey Colin Landy

Phil Lewton Vern Lill Bruce Mulhare Raynor Mulhare Ron Oliver (Deceasesed)

Peter Osborne Ross Perkins Grant Purdie Tony Street Ron Wadham

mailto:[email protected]


Presidents Piece - April 2014 Well another month goes by, summer departs and winter calls!!

We have had a busy month of Club Champs.... a great effort by Neil Blackie and his helpers

setting up the courses. A couple of quite different courses with Colin James Farm and Mal-com Judd's Farm, with the later being fairly dry but challengingly steep ! It sounded like

there was something for everyone. I didn't manage to make it there in my truck, as it still sits unloved in my garage awaiting rear bearing extraction and replacement, but with busi-

ness, weddings and house renovations, it is not getting the attention it needs!! We now await the results at the Annual Awards Dinner to hear who triumphed this year. The Club

Champs prize draw for attendance has very high odds this year with just two days being run, however too late now for you to join in the chances! Next year!!

We have Akatarawa Forest Trip Leader Training/Accreditation coming up again this month

and in May. This is where the Akas Trip Leaders are re-certified to have access to the Forest Park by ARAC. It is another days commitment in the weekend by our Trip Leaders, so

please keep in mind what these TL's do to keep running trips in the Forest for the members.

Over the past month we have had a couple of members or their Partners in Hospital. Please

keep john Parfitt and Jane Burrell in your thoughts as they recover from surgery. We are really just a large family, and the support we can give our members in these times is very

important.

Keep safe, muddy and having fun !!

President Charles


SOUTH ISLAND DAY 1 OPTION 2 and DAY 2 OPTION 2

Yes, confusing isn’t it. The options are because some five trucks camped at Homestead whilst others went to

a soft motel or similar some 90 km

distant at Cromwell. Amazing, be-

cause it’s a long way to drive there

and back to avoid camping. And

another two trucks went to stay

somewhere else!

But the option at the end of day 1

was either a road leg to Cromwell,

or stay somewhere else more local.

Seven trucks decided to stay lo-

cally after the Mt Buster trip off-

road, and headed generally North.

Two got lost somewhere towards

else they would not disclose. But

the other five pressed on to Falls

Dam. We were told by a usually

reliable CCVC member that, yes,

the South bank was fine to drive

right through, so we did. The sign

said no exit, but of course who do

you trust! Falls Dam had a rea-

sonable, but little used track

around the shores and after a

creek or two we found the Dam

itself. Or at least the Damn gate leading to the Dam Crest. The Damn locked gate! And a grunty chain and

padlocks completed the picture. The brains trust went to work! Could we cut the chain? It was hardened and

showed signs of previous attack, but it had not yielded. But of course we would not damage a gate! Could

(Continued on page 9)

Notice is hereby given that the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the Cross Country Vehicle Club (Wellington) Inc will be held on Wednesday 14th May 2014 at the Petone Workingmans Club, Udy Street, Petone.

The AGM will be in association with the May club meeting.

Terence Broad

Club Secretary

Looking from Top Hut towards Omarama Saddle


we remove the gatepost? It

seemed to be bolted into a footing

so some nuts were removed, but

the lower bolt was welded in! In

the end it was noted that the chain

could have been put in place a lit-

tle better, and that by gently flex-

ing the gate upwards at the pad-

lock end, the chain and gate could

rise up say 400 mm or so, to allow

the chain to clear the top of the

post. That done we followed

through and “de –flexed” the gate

to restore normality. Thanks Max!

So down the access road and up to

the DoC Homestead campsite for

the night.

On Day 2 the Homestead campers

rose early, most had stayed in the

cottage whilst two actually

camped, despite the rough “home

paddock” filled with tree roots and

stones. The day was a little overcast, some wind, but nothing to worry about. The first mission was to wait

for Sub-Mercer and Red Rascal who were billeted at Lauder, they said they were doing a health and safety in-

spection for NIWA and needed to stay the night for a full audit. Yeah right!. Eventually they caught up with

the campers and then there were seven trucks heading up the West Branch of the Manuherikia River. This

area is part of the recently opened Oteake Conservation area. There are two routes to Omarama, West and

East. The West route had about a zillion fords in a few km of track. Nothing untoward happened and with pe-

riodic gates to open and close, we eventually arrived at Top Hut. This is at about 1000m asl, from our start at

730 m asl, but the climb was barely noticeable until you looked back downstream and then it was most evi-

dent that we had climbed. A quick

cuppa and then a short sharp

climb to Omarama Saddle at 1250

m asl. Tracks to the left went on

private land and to the right the

track higher up in the Oteake Con-

servation area was locked off, so

we went ahead on the sidle track

not shown on Topomaps, to gradu-

ally cross the ridge and drop on

the other side to the Omaramama

Stream and road end.

Then we spread out to avoid the

dust, and travelled via a side road

to State Highway 8. Then to

Birchwood road and up the Ahuriri

Valley to the Conservation Area

that backs on to the Main Divide.

Canyon Creek is the end of the

authorised road and it was raining

by the time we got there. No real

hazards on this road except for the

rest of the group eventually head-

ing up as the early birds headed

down. So after a bit of banter

there was plenty of time to head to

our overnight stop. For most trucks that meant Lake Tekapo Holiday Camp, but of course there was a health

and safety audit due on a NIWA house at Tekapo and apparently this took a whole week of overnight stays!

Yeah Right!

(Continued from page 8)

Omarama Saddle looking south west

Omarama Saddle looking towards Omarama


Manufactured by

Branches throughout New Zealand Sales and Service

Free Phone 0508 BRIDON (274366)

Wellington Branch

2 Udy St, Petone 04 568 4384

Top Hut Manuherikia West Branch

Omarama Saddle looking south west


Petone Workingmans Club - Anzac Lounge

Sat 19 July 2014 Drinks from 6:00pm, Dinner at 7:00pm

Cost is $35.00 per member/partner

Guest Speaker - Keith Quinn

$1000 tyre voucher to be won by some lucky ticket

Also drawn on the night will

be the Club Champs winner of the trip to Mooloolaba includ-ing airfares and accommoda-

tion at the Windward Apart-ments to the value of $1500.


Deadwood Safari

Did you know that the name "Deadwood Safari" is a registered Trade Mark of CCVC and we "loan"

its use to other clubs to run the event?

Congratulations to Valley Club on a fantastic Deadwood Safari last weekend. The sun shone, the crowds gath-

ered and it was a terrific event.

See the attached blog to see what a member of the public thought of the event:

http://wysiwygpurple.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/february-17-2014-mayhem-in-the-mud/

Next year it is CCVC's turn to run the Deadwood and now is the time when members need to be putting their

names forward to be part of the organising committee as we need to apply for a date (before all the good ones

are taken) and start the ball rolling.

So, if you are interested in helping to organise this event for around this time next year please let Neil Blackie

or a Committee member know so we can judge the commitment of the club for running such an event.

This requires the commitment of the whole club and "I did it back in 1995" is no excuse for not doing it again

next year. In fact that is a very good reason to do it again as you have the experience. Please do not leave it

to the regular few who seem to be involved in running everything for the club while the majority of members

sit back and watch it happen.

Its your club so get involved!!

So come on, put your name forward and lets see if CCVC can out do Valley club (its going to be hard) in put-

ting on a fantastic event next year.


Tripsheet Eleven

Repairs and maintenance of all off road vehicles.

Modifications a speciality.

CCVC safety inspections

www.wgtn4wd.co.nz

Contact Carl at

Wellington 4WD Specialists Ltd 26 Hawkins Street

Lower Hutt

Phone (04) 976 5325, Fax (04) 976 5313 or 027 201 2529


Are you a new member? Do you get the News emails from the club? Do you have access to the club’s web-

site memberzone? If not then have a word with a committee member as these are all ways in which the club

communicates with it’s members. Some useful email addresses are:

[email protected] (general web site queries)

[email protected] (person who administers the list servs)

[email protected] (Trip Coordinator)

[email protected] (to send stuff to the newsletter editor)

[email protected] (membership database administrator)

[email protected] (Chairman of the Land Access Management Committee)

[email protected] (NZ Four Wheel Drive Association delegate)

[email protected] (club treasurer)

[email protected] (club welfare officer)

[email protected] (Club night photo submission)

[email protected] (any general questions)

WANTED: Society Gossip, Scandal, Rumour, and if all else fails, TRIP REPORTS and NEWS! Photos

also very welcome ….

Good news - I have a volunteer to take over the editorial-ship of the magazine for my period of absence later

in the year, thanks Terry!!!

Not too many trip reports coming in this month so hopefully this will pick up, I have some more days of the

South Island trip but not all of them so can’t put them in chronological order yet. If the missing ones don't

come in we may miss a day or so and carry on.

Below are the planned deadlines for the production of the magazine:

May magazine

Sun 04/05/2014 Deadline for content to editor

Wed 07/05/2014 Deadline for mag to be emailed out

June magazine

Sun 25/05/2014 Deadline for content to editor (earlier than usual due to Alan’s Big OE)


July magazine



August magazine



September magazine



October magazine



November magazine



December magazine



Editorial Ramblings


Trip Categories

The following trip category definitions, plus any additional requirements specified on individual Trip Informa-

tion Sheets, will be enforced, for safety reasons. Trip Leaders will turn away vehicles or drivers that do not

comply. The vehicle and driver requirements given here are a summary of the full requirements listed on the

club website. Please refer to www.ccvc.org.nz for a definitive list of requirements.

For all Categories: All open or soft-top vehicles must have a roll bar or roll cage.

All Categories other than Family 4X4 are for members only. Prospective members and visitors are welcome

if they can demonstrate to the Trip Leader they are members of another club and have adequate experience.

Family 4X4:

Description: Family trip. These trips will be straightforward and will usually include some degree of guidance

in driving techniques as necessary.

Drivers: Particularly suited to family outings and drivers new to off-road driving, this category is also open to

anybody who enjoys this style of trip.

Members: Anybody is welcome, especially prospective new members.

Vehicles: An important objective is minimal challenge and minimal risk to vehicles. Club safety equipment is

mandatory for club members; it is not mandatory for non-members although it is recommended for vehicles

once their drivers have participated in one or two trips. All open or soft-top vehicles must have a roll bar or

roll cage.

Shiny 4x4:

Description: More difficult family trips, for shiny wagons and drivers with some experience who want more

challenge and don’t mind minor bush marks etc on their vehicles.

Drivers: Must have some experience, particularly important are experience in stropping, failed hill climbs,

steep descents and sidelings. Club members must have completed CCVC Driver Training and participated in at

least 2 Family 4X4 trips after becoming a member.

Vehicles: Vehicles must have mud tyres, tow hooks and all the required equipment per the club’s document

"Vehicle Safety & Equipment Inspections". This applies to all vehicles on the trip.

Club 4x4:

Description: Challenging trips, for experienced drivers. There will be steep and challenging terrain, modestly

deep water and mud, likelihood of bush marks.

Drivers: Must have experience beyond that required for Shiny 4x4 trips, including water crossings and vehicle

recovery. Club members must have participated in at least 2 Shiny 4X4 trips.

Vehicles: Must have mud tyres, tow hooks and all the required equipment per the club’s document "Vehicle

Safety & Equipment Inspections". This applies to all vehicles on the trip. Accessories such as high-lift jacks,

externally mounted spare tyre, bush bars and multiple jacking points are of advantage. Winches are often par-

ticularly useful. Generally a short wheelbase vehicle is better suited for the tight tracks.

Hard Yakka:

Description: Difficult trips with very challenging terrain and surfaces, where winching, digging, and vehicle

damage are all a possibility!

Drivers: Experienced drivers only, must have approval of Trip Leader. Club members must have participated

in at least 3 Club 4X4 trips.

Vehicles: As per the Club 4x4 category. In addition, a roll-bar or roll-cage is recommended for all vehicles on

Hard Yakka trips. Often a winch is mandatory on a Hard Yakka trip; this will be specified on the Trip Informa-

tion Sheet


For all your suspension and steering requirements contact:

12 Petone Avenue Petone Lower Hutt

Ph. 586 7413

Here is the answer to our long term care.

Medicare Part G

You're a sick senior citizen and the government says there

is no nursing home care available for you. So what do you

do?

Our plan gives anyone 65 years, or older, a gun (G) and 4

bullets.

You are allowed to shoot four Politicians.

Of course, this means you'll be sent to prison, where you

will receive three meals a day, a roof over your head, central heating and air conditioning and all the health care

you need.

Need new teeth? No problem.. Need glasses? That's great. Need a new hip, knees, kidney, lungs or heart? They're

all covered. As an added bonus, your kids can come and visit you at least as often as they do now.

And who will be paying for all of this? The same government that just told you they can't afford for you to go

into a home.

And, you can get rid of 4 useless politicians while you're at it.

Plus, because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income taxes anymore.

Is this a great country or what?


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We fix punctures, do wheel alignments, balancing & fitting. We also have fleet servicing for all your business needs. Drop in or give us a

call on 04 939 2284.

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