All fired up as speedsters ready to burn rubber

A host of petrol-fuelled events are on the cards to ignite the enthusiasm of motor fans in Wanganui throughout the heritage weekend.
Petrol Head Heaven kicks off on Saturday with an appetiser before Sunday's drag races: the Advantage burn out competition and hot rod show at Tartek Yard on Beach Road, starting at 2pm.
The afternoon, which also includes a shine and show and drag car scrutineering (safety checks) is the first of its kind in the event's history and has been organised to celebrate the event's quarter century anniversary.
The main event heats up on Sunday with the Kiwispan 25th Street Drags on Taupo Quay starting at 9am.
The event features 60 drag racers from around New Zealand, following which Wanganui Road Rodders will host a prizegiving at the clubrooms on London St, which are open from 6pm, for awards and celebrations.
As well as the Burmah vintage car rally, a dry run for the international Vintage Car Club rally 2012 to be held in Wanganui next January, Wanganui Vintage Car Club will be holding an evening dinner at Majestic Square on Saturday.
Diners will eat in the open air dressed in vintage costume, while vintage cars line the opposite side of the street.
The club will also be holding a VCC Rally 2012 launch function this Sunday in conjunction with Saturday's Rally and a host of other events organised by the club.
One of the highlights will be the introduction of Clarence Bertam St John Fitz Montague (Bertie), Master of ceremonies for the international VCC rally, held in Wanganui next January.
He will be presented during high tea at 3pm, in the dining room of the Grand Hotel, to guests including Mayor Annette Main, district councillors and members of the management committee of the national body of the vintage car club.
With all the gas guzzling and countless other happenings this anniversary weekend there shouldn't be an idle body in town, so whatever you do have a great public holiday.
TODAY
- Whanganui Summer Programme - Bookings open. Booklets at i-Site Wanganui Visitor Centre, 31 Taupo Quay and/or the Whanganui Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay. Bookings at the centre or ph 347 1863.
- The Conrays return to the Big Orange. 5.30pm. To kick off the long weekend the Conrays are playing this Friday outside on the mainstreet.
- Sean Hoskins and band play the Grand Hotel. Classic singalong, danceable rock'n'roll, rom 9.30pm till late.
TOMORROW
- Advantage Burn Out Competition and Hot Rod show - 2pm-6pm. Tartek Yard, Beach Road. Burn Out Competition and Show and Shine plus scrutineering for drags. Adults $10, children $5, family $25, under 5 free. No dogs, no glass.
- Wanganui Vintage Car Club Burmah Rally. For more information contact: Bruce Hutton 027 248 4665 or Ed Boyd 027 249 4686.
- Vintage Car Club dinner at Majestic square. 5pm-10pm. Diners will eat in vintage costume on one side of the street while, vintage cars line the other. Contact: Bruce Hutton 027 248 4665 or Ed Boyd 027 249 4686.
- The River Traders - 9am-1pm, Moutoa Quay. Whanganui's market by the river. An eclectic range of artists, crafts people, food producers, plant growers and general wares. Something new and imaginative each week. Join us for coffee and a truly Whanganui experience. Contact The River Traders Stall Application, ph (06) 343 9795 or txt 027 2299616, info@therivertraders.co.nz or www.therivertraders.co.nz
- Waimarie Steamboat Discount. Departures at 10am and 1.30pm. Wanganui people can ride the river in vintage style this Saturday with a 10 per cent discount for adults who dress in heritage attire. Tickets from the Riverboat Centre at 1A Taupo Quay. For more information call (06) 347 1863.
- Computer Clubhouse open day. 11am-2pm. Wanganui's Computer Clubhouse is holding an open day and everyone is invited to come along and check it out. The clubhouse offers a free, safe place for young people aged 11-18 and gives access to a huge variety of hi-tech state of the art technology including Mac workstations, a music studio, digital cameras and video, a telescope, Lego robotics and a big screen TV.
- Sean Hoskins and band play the Grand Hotel. Classic singalong, danceable rock'n'roll, from 9.30pm till late.
SUNDAY
- Kiwispan 25th Street Drags - 9am-3pm. Taupo Quay, th Drags, followed by prize giving hosted by Wanganui Road Rodders. At the Clubrooms from 6pm. adults $10, children $5, family $25. No dogs, no glass.
- Vintage Car Club Launch Function for VCC Rally 2012. Dining room at the Grand Hotel. High tea will be served while the Master of Ceremonies for next year's international rally is introduced to guests, including Annette Main, district councillors and the management committee of the national Vintage Car Club.
- Bushy Park Festival. - There will be food and drink stalls, more than 50 arts and craft stalls and lots of fun on offer. Children will be kept entertained with clowns, magicians, a bouncy castle, ferris wheel and Laserstrike. Live music will be provided by, Abacus Jazz Band, The Riverfolk, Wanganui's Ukulele Band and eight piece retro/soul band The Conrays.
- Avoca Hotel Market - 10am-3pm, every Sunday. Upokongaro Village. Great stalls, hangi speciality (limited meals). Stall holders and other inquiries contact June, ph 06 342 5890.
- Whanganui Summer Programme - bookings open. Booklets at i-Site Wanganui Visitor Centre, 31 Taupo Quay and/ or the Whanganui Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay. Bookings at the centre or ph 347 1863.
MONDAY
- Arthritis Anniversary Amble - enjoy ambling through 11 summer gardens 10am-4pm Refreshments, stalls and raffles. Tickets - $10 per person. Tickets available from garden centres and i-Site. For more information contact David 345 0428.
Galleries and museums:
- Sarjeant Gallery - Queen's Park, 10.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Sunday.
- Turakina Beach Gallery - 45 Wainui St, Turakina Beach, featuring the work of artist Clare Gibney. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm.
- A mix of contemporary, abstract and realistic work in oils, acrylics and mixed media. Most works are originals painted by Clare with a scattering of other works from overseas and other Kiwi artists.
Ph (06) 327 3678 or email: turakinabeachgallery@airstream.net.nz.
- Pumice Gallery - 9am-6pm weekdays; after hours by appointment. Contemporary jewellery from Wanganui and around the country.
Also multimedia weavings, paintings and prints. 260 Victoria Ave, in the Big Green House.
- Whanganui Regional Museum, Queen's Park, Watt St. Mon-Sun, 10am-4.30pm. Current Exhibitions: The Land - Mana Whenua, Mana Tangata an exhibition describing the development of Whanganui city, community and region during the 19th century. Weird & Curious an exhibition showcasing a diverse array of weird and curious items rarely seen from the collection of the museum. Paddy O'Donnell-Radio Pioneer - the story of a legendary radio broadcaster. A Community Exhibition hosted by Sally O'Donnell finishes this Monday. Free admission to Whanganui residents.
- Sand Hill Studio Gallery - 170 Heads Rd. Wednesday-Friday 12pm-4pm, Saturday midday-2pm or by appointment, ph (06) 347 8442.
- Louise Herdman Mosaic Studio - 12pm-4.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 10-2pm most Saturdays or by appointment. Studio on cnr Drews Ave-Rutland St. Regular classes and workshops. Contact 027 375 4715 or www.mosaicpictures.co.nz.
- McNamara Gallery Photography, 190 Wicksteed St. Exhibition (until January 28), Ben Cauchi - The Doppler Effect photography exhibition. www.mcnamara.co.nz Tuesday/Wednesday-Saturday 11am-3pm. Please check website information page for occasional closed days due to travel commitments 06 348 7320 or 027 249 8059 or mcnamaraphotogal@xtra.co.nz www.mcnamara.co.nz .
- Rayner Brothers Gallery, 52 Guyton St - 12pm-4pm Wednesday-Friday; 10am-1pm Saturday.
- WHMilbank Gallery - reopening in February at 1B Bell St, enquiries welcome on 027 628 6877.
- Creative Worx, 2 Onetere Drive (off Airport Rd) - 11am-4pm Saturday or by arrangement. Ph (06) 347 2254.
- Studio PD, 348 Somme Parade - 2pm-4pm Saturday-Sunday, other times by appointment. Ph 343 9479 after 11am.
- Black Sand Studio and Gallery - 10am-4pm weekly. Studio 20km north of Wanganui on SH3. 1653, RD4 Maxwell. Ph (06)342 3707 or www.blacksandstudio.co.nz.
- Bulls Museum - 10am-12pm and 1-3pm every day. Museum open to visiting groups but a phone call a couple of days beforehand would be appreciated. Donations welcome.
Contact Helen (06) 322 1681 or Neil (06) 322 1860.
- The Gallery, 77 Liverpool St. Traditional watercolours by Anthony Prout, ph 345 7039 or 349 0495.
- Chronicle Glass - 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday. Gallery and studio, 2 Rutland St.
- Other gallery locations: Red Eye Cafe, Guyton St; House of Art, 32 Guyton St; Sue Cooke, Guyton St; Safety Pin Art Studio, Taupo Quay.
- Whanganui Riverboat Museum - 9am-4pm Friday and Saturday; 10am-4pm Sundays. 1a Taupo Quay.
- Ashley Park - 9am-5pm every day, at fire number 2924, SH3, Waitotara. Collectable and memorabilia museum. Adults $4, children $2.
Contact Weekend Pass to get your free listing. Send details by noon Wednesdays to email: news@wanganuichronicle.co.nz with weekend pass written in subject line. Tel (06) 349 0710, reporters fax (06) 349 0722. Column compiled with assistance of i-Site Wanganui Visitor Centre, ph (06) 349 0508 or fax 349 0509. Information needs to be provided 14 days in advance of the event to be included in this publication. You can also check events on www.wanganui.com.