Cruising for a Cause set to be an outstanding weekend!

The final plans are now in place for Cruising for a Cause 2010, and organisers are expecting to welcome thousands onto the Tongariro Domain, this Saturday 9 October.

The charity event concept is simple. Owners of many and varied cars, trucks and motorbikes offer to take people for a ‘cruise’ in return for a gold coin donation. All donations are then returned to the event charity, which is Taupō Parents Centre for this year’s event.

Event spokesperson, Kylie Hawker, said organisers have received over 100 registrations for vehicles of all descriptions who wish to participate the various activities taking place over the weekend.

“We’ve been thrilled the response to this year’s event,” said Ms Hawker. “We have registrations from all over the North Island, as well as plenty of locals. There are some amazing vehicles confirmed for Cruising on Saturday, including race cars, trucking rigs, police cars, vintage cars, hot rods, motorbikes and muscle cars. As long as the sun shines, it’ll be a great day!”

As well as the 60+ vehicles who are happily taking people for a cruise around town on Saturday, there will be a number of display vehicles to check out at the Domain, including NZ V8 race car, a 1951 Mark VI Bentley, and 1939 Plymouth, a 130 tonne crane, boats, and numerous motorcycles including a 1941 Indian.

Organisers have extended the weekend to include activities on Friday and Sunday.

Fellow event organiser, Shawn Vennell, said the Cruising Committee wanted to recognise the huge contribution the vehicle owners voluntarily make to the event.

“We have had so many people register for the event this year, and we wanted to thank them for being involved by offering extra free things for them to do,” said Mr Vennell. “We wanted to make it into a fun weekend for all, and especially provide a good Taupō welcome to the many cars and people who are coming from around the North Island to attend Cruising for a Cause.”

Two supporting events are planned for Friday 8 October, and one for Sunday 10 October. Fellow event organiser Kelvin Short explains.

“On Friday afternoon we have the privilege of providing a number of cars to lead the official East Taupō Arterial procession as part of the formal road opening,” said Mr Short. “Later that evening, we’ve organised a 50km cruise around the streets of Taupō, and we’ll then park up in town and enjoy the hospitality of two of our major sponsors, McDonalds Taupō and Plateau Bar & Restaurant. The public are welcome to come down to the Tuwharetoa Street carpark behind McDonalds about 7.30pm to check out the cars.”

The main event takes place from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 9 October at Tongariro Domain, and organisers are expecting plenty of locals, and those visiting Taupō for the spring School Holidays to attend. For those who wish to enjoy a lake cruise, Chris Jolly Outdoors are offering a special ‘Cruise’ on Saturday, and will be donating a portion of the ticket price to Taupō Parents Centre.

“We figured that after a lot of slow cruising around town on Saturday, some of the vehicle owners might fancy a bit of faster action on Sunday,” jokes Mr Short. “So, thanks to the generous support of Taupō Motorsport Park, we’ve managed to have a section of the track open for an hour on Sunday morning. Our Cruisers can get the chance to enjoy the thrills of the track, before heading home and settling in to watch Bathurst!”

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