Vintage Kiwi National Rally 2007

With a rally spread over two Islands, two sites, and two sets of pilots and a wide range of gliders it should not be unexpected that this is a different annual event that needing some explanation. The purpose of the rally is primarily fun for as many family members as possible, and this dictates the rally venues. Secondly it is intended to demonstrate that there is a place for vintage and classic gliding in “modern” gliding. Thirdly to develop a role that can play a part in halting the current decline in our sport, and finally to recruit new members. In honesty this last item in the most important as without members nothing will be achieved, so take note.

The two rally “halves” are quite different for in the North, the Taupo event, where we are guests of Taupo Gliding Club, is primarily supported by “vintage and classic” gliders and is more similar events overseas. In the South, hosted by the Nelson GC, it is entirely different. In effect we have hijacked, or more tactfully, have become a “cuckoo in the nest”, of an event that includes the hosts clubs annual flying week, the annual expedition of the Canterbury GC, and this year a Nelson GC cross country course. This is entirely appropriate for it shows, how vintage flying can integrate with general gliding, at a club that sees the benefits of using in their training fleet the Ka4 Rhonlercher, or “Lark”, if you prefer, they purchased new over forty years ago. Further the club includes a Ka6cr in its fleet and has more VK members than any other single club in the South. Many of these members also own Ka6’s on this fantastic site that can, and does, attracts ASH25, Duo Discus’s and all the other latest gizmos, with and without engines. These disappear as soon as conditions are right and return late in the day, sometimes on a trailer.

A more detailed report will be published in the next issue of “Vintage Kiwi”, and in a number of overseas vintage magazines who have already asked for “a story”. So the best way to “Read All About It” will be to join Vintage Kiwi, your local vintage club, or become one of our many international members. In our case a form can be downloaded from this site, or for overseas club use our links page.

Click to find out more about Vintage Kiwi

Vintage Kiwi National Rally 2007

Images of Nelson VK Rally

Images of Taupo VK Rally