ISSN 1170-1099 Published Tuesday and Thursday THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005 034TC060/05 Circulated FREE to all households throughout Te Awamutu and surrounding districts. Extra copies 35c. BRIEFLY Parched local Golden speedway era relived pastures By Terry Campbell Farmers and gardeners will Kihikihi Speedway Club was rapt be hoping predicted rain for with how its 50th anniversary celebra- this week eventuates. tions went at the weekend. Pastures, lawns and gardens The hot, sunny weather was perfect are dry after the fourth driest for the two days of racing and thou- January in 15 years, reports Te sands of spectators enjoyed both the Awamutu weather watcher Paul ‘blast from the past’ and contemporary Hobbs. racing events. Half the month’s rainfall was Saturday’s nostalgia day was a trip recorded by 9am on January down ‘memory lane’ for many who at- 1 and two slightly wet days a tended, meeting old friends and past week later have been followed acquaintances and taking in the on- by drought, with a monthly track sights and sounds of vintage TQs, total of just 41.5mm - less than half the average for the fi rst midgets and motorcycles. month of the year. Children had an equally enjoyable day out with free passes to a merry-go- round, bumper cars and a bouncy castle Open art house in addition to games, races and prizes Waipa Children’s Art House throughout the afternoon. students will have their work The nostalgia theme continued into displayed again at this year’s Saturday night with an anniversary Royal Easter Show in Auck- dinner held at the Waipa Workingmen’s land. Club. Sessions for the new year A number of awards were presented begin on Monday (February 7). during the evening - medallions to life There are open information members and past presidents of the club evenings for parents at the Art and a trophy to Grant Wilks to mark his House in Lyon Street, Kihikihi 40th season of competition. this Thursday and Friday from A special presentation was made to 3.30pm-7pm. Johny Missen, the ‘founding father’ of Register your interest with New Zealand TQ racing. Anna at 870 1507. Although never a member of Kihikihi REMINISCING: ‘Dusty’ Rhodes (left) and Jack Wilks used to vie for trophies at Kihikihi in the Speedway, Missen can take the credit 1960’s, with the latter close but unable to nail national TQ titleholder, Rhodes. The former rivals RDA in action for the club’s existence as he built the joked about their former battles at Saturday’s nostalgia day at Kihikihi Speedway. 034051AD Riding for the Disabled As- fi rst TQ midget in the country, made the sociation has its fi rst outing for plans readily available and helped pro- By Colin Thorsen heaps.” years ago at the club’s 40th the new year at Kihikihi Domain mote the class at Kihikihi in the club’s An impending hip operation Rhodes was grateful to Ken anniversary. next Tuesday at 10am. early days. did not prevent TQ midget leg- Price, the owner of his former The fi rst secretary of the Spokesperson Pat Fitzgerald On Sunday, the largest group seen end Clive ‘Dusty’ Rhodes from TQ midget, for allowing him to Kihikihi TQ Midget Club says helpers and new clients at Kihikihi Speedway for a number of putting the pedal to the metal drive it. ‘hopes to be a new man’ after are welcome to attend the rid- years witnessed great racing along with at Kihikihi Speedway’s 50th Price purchased the car in his fast-approaching hip op- ing session inside the rodeo some very close fi nishes. anniversary. 1986, two years after Rhodes eration at Waikato Hospital, arena at the domain. This was not the case in the celebrity One of the father fi gures of had restored it.. but says there is no chance of race, however, as Otorohanga District the club showed glimpses of Rhodes said the handling a comeback ... just yet. Carrying on Mayor, Dale Williams outpaced his op- his former silky driving skills system is still the same as it Four years short of becoming was back in the 1960’s and one of those grand old octoge- Fresh from his involvement ponents in a fi eld of production saloons during a couple of runs on Sat- with Kihikihi Speedway’s 50th and had no problems in taking out the urday’s nostalgia race day. there is still plenty of power. narians, it is hard to imagine celebrations, Jack Wilks has or- win. Some of his dare-devil has The two-times national TQ Clive ‘Dusty’ Rhodes making ganised a party for ex-carriers. Brent McClymont won the saloon been retained too. champion (1966-67, 1967-68) another guest driving appear- The idea of a get together feature, while Graham Standring led “I was a bit concerned about makes regular guest appear- ance when Kihikihi Speedway was suggested to Mr Wilks by the 30-lap midget feature from start to giving it full throttle down the ances in his famous No 16 TQ celebrates its ruby (60th) an- another former carrier Peter fi nish. straight,” said Rhodes. midget. niversary in 10 year’s time Kendall at a recent funeral in Te Local driver Craig Brunt produced the “I’m 76, but I did give it He last raced at Kihikihi 10 - but don’t count on it. Awamutu. drive of the day in this race, working his Mr Wilks, along with the way through the fi eld on a diffi cult-to- Early Christmas plans late Eric Osborne and the late drive track, to take a merited third place Dog freed from George Roa, was involved in behind Josh Franklin. Te Awamutu Community Board chairman, organising ex-carriers’ reun- Minisprint driver Sean Cooke won the ‘burning’ car Dean Taylor has suggested a sub-committee of Te ions here in the 80’s. three race John Watkin Memorial with a Awamutu Alive be formed immediately to plan for The party will take place at Te win and two second placings. Police and security staff had to break into next Christmas in Te Awamutu. Awamutu RSA on February 12 Final event of the day, the Golden a parked vehicle last week to rescue a dog “We don’t want Christmas ‘04 to haunt us next and there are about 30 defi nite Helmet Trophy for the 20-lap TQ fea- suffering from the heat. December. The sub-committee could build on what attendees registered already ture was won by Auckland driver Ross The action reminds animal owners that is already organised by our committee (Te Awamutu from throughout the country Holton, who stayed on track while other heat quickly causes distress for animals, Alive), plus ensure the town looks suitably festive. (former carrier’s licence hold- competitors spun off while in the lead. and ultimately their death. “Work needs to start now because we are start- ers). The get together will begin His win was all the more meritorious In this instance the car was parked in the ing from scratch in terms of specialised banner, at 11.30am with a luncheon at as he had to race with a repaired car, full sun and only one window was left down decorations and lighting and we have no budget or 1pm. damaged after rolling in an earlier race. a few centimetres to provide ventilation. sponsors.” Super Liquor Phone 871 4009 TE AWAMUTU Ahoy men and buoys Offer concludes close John’s OPEN 7 DAYS of trade 7/02/05 while John’s Super Deal is Cash and Carry Only – Payment of John’s Super Deal must be stocks last PICK OF THE WEEK by cash, Eftpos or cheque, otherwise charge price applies. TRADE NOT SUPPLIED. Our sale is in full sail BBEELLLLIINNII Black Heart AARRCCHHEERRSS 200ml bottles AAQQUUAA Rum 4 Pack 1 Litre 4 Pack $$ 9999 $ 99 $$ 9999 15 ALEXANDRA STREET, TE AWAMUTU PHONE 871 6307 7 034TC038/05 032TC008-05 7 33 88 YOUR LETTERS CRIMELINE Te Awamutu Police 872 0100 T.A. TILES EMERGENCY 111 Te Awamutu Police have dealt with the fol- Message from case lowing matters since last week: Monday, January 24: Man arrested for breaching bail. FEBRUARY SPECIALS is don’t test system Burglary of Raikes Avenue property reported. Motorised scooter stolen. Thank you for your biased re- message to the community that we Tuesday, January 25: per sq/m porting of the issue of the Waipa must not test the system. Arrests: Man for assaulting a female. Man $ .95 District Council prosecuting me. I note that in every other case for failing to appear in court. Waikeria Prison inmate reports being for floor & wall tiles As you are aware, the decision is the Council has let the matter go 29 while stocks last and I believe I was singled out for assaulted by his cellmate. to be appealed. My reading of the prosecution due to my occupation Wednesday, January 26: text shows that I was acquitted on Intentional damage to banner and windows and my position as a councillor. two of the charges. at Rosetown Holden reported. Once that was done, I am further % off selected 400 x 400 tiles I have already asked the Council Thursday, January 27: chief executive if that means that I castigated for that. Me obtaining Woman arrested for possession of 20 may continue to use the second in- a permit was more than cumber- methamphetamine at Waikeria Prison. cinerator that I was charged with some. I said that it was virtually Friday, January 28: using, for which the charges were impossible.