Car enthusiasts will be revving their engines once again, as the Thames Valley Car Club (TVCC) pulls away from the edge of oblivion.
The club was established in 1958, making it one of the first car clubs in the country.
It is also the only club in New Zealand with a permanent grass track – a circuit based at Kerepēhi Domain.
However, the club’s incorporated charity status was legally dissolved in September, 2023, after it failed to file annual reports for a number of years.
This also led to the club losing its MotorSport New Zealand (MSNZ) licence.
“We were struck off about three years ago without any of us knowing, and it got to the point where it was just going to dissolve,” club member Graeme Bjerring, who wasn’t on the former committee, told The Profile.
“My dad was a founding member so I [didn’t] want it to fall.”
Graeme has since been working behind the scenes to get the club up and running again, drumming up support among members and liaising with MSNZ.
The club still has a strong following, with plenty of supporters also keen to see it reinstated. A special meeting held on August 30 saw 46 cars attend, Graeme said, and he has had at least 20 people indicate interest in either joining the committee or otherwise helping out.
“We want to keep the committee relatively small,” Graeme said.
“If I have to stand, I will stand…[but] I’m just a spokesperson. I’ve got no role at all apart from I want to pick the club up and make it happen.
“The main thing is we want to bring the young ones through, we want new blood. We’ve got a good bunch of younger ones coming through and they’re all saying they will go on board to do that admin side of stuff.”
The club’s annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on September 27, where members will vote to agree on the club’s reinstatement, new constitution, and election of new officers.
A social media post by MSNZ president Deborah Day on September 7 stated the national governing body was actively supporting TVCC’s reactivation.
“I’m really keen to see TVCC back on its feet,” she wrote.
“Our role is to support the club through this process, help the incoming committee find its feet, and give the club every opportunity to return to what it does best, running great motorsport events for its members and community.”
Deborah said she had engaged Kevin McCaffery from My Governance to chair the AGM, prepare the correct paperwork, and ensure everything is finalised.
DETAILS: Thames Valley Car Club Annual General Meeting, September 27, 1pm at the Ohinemuri Club in Paeroa.
