Only a handful of spectators turned out to see a flock of 39 Minis, and a 1976 Holden Kingswood that was doing a fine impression of a police car, set off from Kaitaia on the 2011 Pork Pie Run - but the whole town would have heard them.
From veterans to later models of BMW manufacture, they set off at 30-second intervals on Friday from the Orana Motor Inn bound for Invercargill, 2500km and five days away, every one of them boasting a hooter that was enthusiastically tooted as the flag fell and little wheels spun briefly on the wet seal. Flags fluttered and drivers whooped as they began the journey made famous by the yellow Mini that had the starring role in the iconic Kiwi movie Goodbye Pork Pie 30 years before.
Whangarei Mini enthusiasts Murray Hemsley and Rod Harris organised the first charity run two years ago to mark the Mini's 50th anniversary, raising more than $120,000 for soft tissue heart monitors for Auckland's Starship Children's hospital in the process. This time they're raising money for specialised stretchers, each worth $35,000, that will be used to fly children to Starship from all over the country aboard helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and even commercial flights. They had already matched the first run's $120,000 before they left Kaitaia on Friday morning, and the kitty swelled a little more when a woman approached the starting point waving a $5 note and asking if they were still collecting.
But while the adrenaline was pumping on Friday morning, Mr Hemsley conceded it was no picnic driving all that way in a very small car, some boasting the original seats, although others had swapped for the more comfortable styles offered by the likes of Subaru. "It's quite a mission to drive 2500km in a Mini, and then you have to drive home again."
Most of the cars and drivers were "repeat offenders" from 2009, while more were expected to join in as the run passed through their necks of the woods.
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