Wheels at Wanaka

[RWHB1]

GAINING TRACTION

It's full steam ahead for two Ashburton traction engine enthusiasts as
they gear up for the South Island's biggest machinery event: the
fourth and final Wheels at Wanaka.

Richard Bradley and Sarah Crossen, members of the Mid Canterbury
Vintage Machinery Club, are eager to return with their engines for
what will be the event's last year when it opens its gates this
Easter.

“I love the whole hype of it, the excitement of getting out and
about and taking the engines out and spending the whole weekend
meeting other people," Crossen says.

"It's great to let people see the engines instead of hiding them away
in sheds."

Crossen, who is an Ashburton dairy farmer, has a family connection
with traction engines.

Her great-great-grandfather was a traction engine contractor, and her
grandfather and brother owned engines.

"It's just how we were brought up."

She owns a 1908 Burrell single compound traction engine, which is
currently in Southland.

However, with a top speed of just 20 km/h, she won't be driving it to
the three-day event. "My brother will be transporting it by truck –
it’d be a slow journey otherwise."

Bradley, an electrician by trade, has been giving his 1912 Marshall
coal-powered traction engine some much-needed TLC in preparation for
the show. "We've done major restoration work over the past 18 months,
and now the pressure is on to get it all back together in time for the
event," he says.

Bradley said there was an exciting atmosphere of Wheels at Wanaka for
anyone interested -not just in traction engines – but cars, trucks,
motorbikes and earthmoving machinery.

"There are people bringing machinery from all over the world to the
event.

"It's for anything with wheels."

This year, Wheels at Wanaka is putting Caterpillars (CAT) in the
spotlight as the brand celebrates its 100th birthday, which is being
hailed as the "biggest noisiest birthday party" New Zealand has ever
seen.

Event promoter Annabel Roy says organisers encourage anyone with a Cat
in their shed to bring it to the three-day event.

"If they have a wee D2 in their shed, bring it along and join the
world record attempt for the most Caterpillar machines in a parade,"
Roy said.

In addition to the world record attempt, the Terra Cat Earthmoving
Extravaganza will be back.

Spectators can see vintage and modern machines in action in one of the
event's six arenas spread over a 60-acre site.

"The biggest point of difference with Wheels at Wanaka is that you can
sit on a hay bale with a hot dog and watch the machines as they move
in front of you, which is why it has such an appeal across
generations."

With an expected 70,000 attendees this year, organizers encourage
vehicle owners to register in advance to avoid long wait times at the
gates.

The event includes a tractor pull, snowmobile drag racing, and an
Enduro Cross competition, in which off-road motorbikes compete over an
obstacle course.

OceanaGold is bringing some heavy-duty mining vehicles, a unique
experience for spectators.

"Some of those vehicles never see daylight; they never leave
underground.

"So, if you come and see nothing else, see those," Roy said.

The event is a charitable trust, with profits going back to the
community.

"We will divvy up the funds across as many community groups as we can
and keep the money in Wanaka and the Central Lakes region."

While Wheels at Wanaka will be missed by locals and machinery
enthusiasts alike, organisers are determined the final event will be
the best to date.

"We want to go out on a high.

"We wanted to go out with a final bang for the fourth and final
event," Roy said.https://www.guardianonline.co.nz/far...ning-traction/

[McLaren2]

3 speed ?