THE first Wairarapa Auto Gallery went off with a hiss and a roar on Saturday, with $2000 put in the kitty for more staging and seating at Masterton's Recreation Centre. Nicolette Sheehan, stadium co-ordinator, said more than 800 people came through the doors for the special display of performance vehicles toraise money for seating and staging at the centre. Ms Sheehan said there were people from all different parts of the country, as well as from Wairarapa plus many who came to Masterton especially for the event. Classic cars, motorcycles boats and trucks were all part of the three displays ? inside the stadium, around the pool area and out in the back car park. "Masterton certainly seemed to have some gems hiding away in their sheds", Ms Sheridan said. "We successfully made a couple thousand dollars to put toward our fundraising and we're very happy with how the weekend went." She said that she and an organising team were given the task of getting the car show up and running just five weeks ago, so in the time they had the committee members worked some miracles. Oasis Trust executive officer Jonathan Hooker, one of the organisers, said the turnout had "been just great" and credits the unusual format with being a big part of the attraction. "Generally there's just an individual class on display and it was unusual to have a mixture of cars, boats and trucks all in together." Mr Hooker hopes the auto gallery will become an annual or twice-yearly event .and is already thinking ahead to the possibility of introducing a section for aircraft. Ms Sheehan said everybody involved ? the sponsors, all the drivers and their amazing vehicles which truly made the event, to the committee members Rhys Sverven, Dwain for D.A.K Enhancements, Jonathan Hooker (council) and Geoff Barton, facility manager for the centre, ? "without this team of people our show wouldn't have gone ahead. "And a big thank you to the people who came down and supported the event."
