Hawke's Bay car club gears up for new members

The Mini Car Club Hawke's Bay is looking for new members from all walks of life across the region. Photo / Supplied

A Hawke's Bay car club with a love of Mini Coopers is looking to take its membership count up a gear.

The Mini Car Club Hawke's Bay, a group of like-minded Mini enthusiasts, gather once a month to give the cars a run around the region and talk all things Minis.

Club president Glenis Cooper said there are a huge number of Mini drivers around Hawke's Bay, but spreading the word of the club has been a logistical problem.

"There is nothing better after a hard week than getting in your mini and getting that smile back on the dial," she said.

"Once a year, we attend the Mini Nationals where all of the Mini clubs throughout New Zealand get together for a fun weekend of events and a catch up."

The club, formed in 1994 by Tony Gawthorne, offer memberships from $45 per year, which includes technical and mechanical help, events and more.

Glenis, whose first car was a Mini, has kept the tradition going in her family, with her partner Phil and her son Mike also members of the club.

"Phil and I bought ourselves a Mini to do up and my son a Mini to learn to drive in when we moved to Hawke's Bay in the early 90s," she said.

"My son now has a BMW Mini for his company car and the grandchildren have been brought up as part of our team going to the nationals and have declared they too will drive Minis."

"Tony Gawthorne even gave Mike driving lesson in the paddock we did events in," Glenis added.

Glenis' grandson, Brandon, who soon became their family navigator on journeys, is also looking to get his licence in a Mini as he approaches his 16th birthday.

Mini Car Club Hawke's Bay, whose last meeting fell on the Queen's Birthday weekend, aim to have as many Minis on the region's road as possible.

Glenis said the current members are made up of mechanical tradesmen, teachers, office works, retirees and more.

"The old-style Minis are cheap to buy, restore and easy to maintain, so appeal to all sorts of people in all walks of life," she said.

"We have people wishing to display their cars, others wanting to go for a drive to a café and those who wish to race."

Glenis added: "We have people in their 80s right down to the age of 16. Mini owners are varied and relaxed people with one common love - the Mini."