By
john manzi for NAADA
Later
this week four members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association
(NAADA) will compete against their counters in a Friendship Competition in New
Zealand. The NAADA team consisting of Peter Kleinhans, Joe Lee, Gerry Fielding
and Dave Offenberg have already arrived and are taking in the wonders of the land
Down Under. But beginning on Thursday, December 8 the battles will begin.
Their
host, Gavin Cook, has a wonderful agenda for the visiting Americans as well as
some disclaimers unfortunately caused by mother nature.
“As you may be aware
Christchurch experienced a series of devastating earthquakes in late 2010 &
early 2011. This effectively destroyed our central city and along with it went
many of our four star plus hotels. Our city is slowly rebuilding but the
caliber and quantity of suitable accommodation places is yet to catch up with
demand”, Cook explained to his visitors.
“Compounding this problem is
the recent earthquakes and the fact that we are experiencing a tourist boom as
well, so finding suitable accommodations have been challenging. We arranged for
the entire tour group to be accommodated at two separate but adjacent motel
complexes in the Riccarton area which is in the heart of a busy retail and
restaurant area. Because the motels do not have any suitable breakfast
facilities we will take you to a variety of cafes for breakfast/brunch,
fortunately Christchurch has a very vibrant cafe culture.”
But from early reports
Cook’s disclaimers are just a matter of fact and not of much concern to the
American team whose members are already enjoying themselves.
“This is a beautiful country
and their people are wonderful,” noted the USA’s Gerry Fielding. “And perhaps
the best part is that there is no language barrier.”
The following is the
itinerary that Cook and his New Zealand amateurs have set for the visiting
Americans.
Wednesday 7th – Welcome Dinner (Lone Star Restaurant)
Thursday 8th – Brunch at Drexels
- Port Hills Gondola Ride
- Visit Lyttelton
- Race at Addington
- Dine at Spectators
Friday 9th – Work horses at the beach
- Brunch at Pukeko Junction
- Jet Boating on Waiau River
- Relaxing at Hanmer Springs*
- Dine at Harewood Tavern in Christchurch
Saturday 10th – Visit Deans Bush Market
- Walking tour of City
- Race at Addington
- Dine at Raceway
Sunday 11th – Brunch at The Store
- Race at Motukarara
- Farewell dinner at Memory’s
*Hanmer Springs is a small
mountain village that is famous for its thermal hot pools. As well as the pools
the village also offers plenty of mountain biking or walking tracks or you may
just decide to sit back and relax in the tranquil nature of the place.
But according to the
international amateur driver’s mantra, ‘it’s not of the utmost importance who
wins or loses; its just that amateur racing is a great vehicle for human
relations’.
