Wanaka’s first Tractor Club is “off to a flying start” according to its initiators. 

The club has been founded to recruit men and women who share a love for all types of tractors and get them familiar with “their tractor of choice” before driving it at Wheels at Wanaka event during Easter next year.

The purpose of the club is twofold: to match experienced tractor drivers with the tractors from the Wheels at Wanaka collection which will be driven in the event’s grand parade; and to bring like-minded tractor enthusiasts together.

Event manager Colleen Nisbet said Wanaka has so many retired farmers living here that the Wheels at Wanaka Tractor Club has immediately attracted members, with 20 already signed up. 

Colleen said for the 2019 inaugural event organisers recruited approximately 150 volunteer tractor drivers who had the pleasure of driving one of the 200 vintage tractors from the Wheels at Wanaka collection.

Men and women are invited to join the tractor club to familiarise themselves with the tractor they will drive in the grand parade. PHOTO: Supplied

Many said they had such a good time driving they jumped at the chance to be involved again. 

The drivers are nostalgic about the types of tractors they’ve driven in the past and are keen to relive those memories, Colleen said. 

Preference will be given to those with previous tractor driving experience, and who know their way around a tractor engine, can make fuel and oil level checks, and ensure the tractor can do a couple of laps around the parade ground.  

About half the tractor collection is pre-1960s “and therefore a bit temperamental”, Colleen said. Knowing how to safely crank start an engine is important, as is how to shut off the fuel line when the machines are not in motion.

The tractor collection is varied but the volunteer drivers “can choose their steeds based on what blood they bleed, be it green (John Deere), red (International Harvester), blue (Fordson), orange (Allis Chalmer) or yellow (Caterpillar). We’ve also a range of orchard tractors and others that market gardeners would be into”, she said. 

“So, if you’ve a little bit of engine knowhow, previous farming experience, and have the knack for a crank shaft – then this role is right for you,” Colleen said.

All drivers will be expected to attend training and briefing sessions, and be available before Easter weekend, to drive the tractors from the shed to their show position, and then return them to the shed at the end of the show. 

Local tractor owners who will have their own machines on display at the event are also welcome to join the club.

The club’s first meeting will be in January and meetings will continue on a regular basis until the event at Easter.

Tractor driving is only one part of the event’s volunteer program, Colleen said. They are also seeking volunteers to host guests, drive minivans around an internal bus loop, to set up and pack down tents and seats, for gate duties, and assistance with general administration and entry packs. 

All volunteer roles receive a free two day pass to the event, refreshments, a cap and more, she said.

For more information see their website here. To join the club or volunteer, sign the online registration form here or contact volunteer manager Amanda Dalgliesh on [email protected] and 021 880 276.